by tezza » Sun Oct 10, 2010 6:50 am
Yes, Viscount Electronics. It deserves a note in New Zealand computer history.
That was one of the first computer shops in Palmerston North and probably the most significant in very early days of personal computing (1981-1984). That's where I bought my System 80, software and monthy journals like Micro-80. The owner, Frank (Goldhaming?), was an active entrepreneur who set up import deals with a number of manufacturers. His shop also serviced and modified machines. His market was more than just local. If you check out past issues of Bits and Bytes you'll see a number of ads there.
Like most general personal computer stores catering to the growing market Viscount electronics didn't survive the split into distinct business computer and home computing. Design Electronics got the Apple franchise, and the PC clone market was serviced by others. Trying to service the home market was disasterous as the likes of the Commodore 64 started to be sold by K-Mart at such a low margin there was hardly any money in it. The margins were slim.
I'm not sure when Frank closed the store but I suspect around 1985? I'm only guessing that is was because of the above, but I suspect I'm right as speciality stores up and down the country suffered this way. Some stores, like David Reid, were general electronic chain stores and dealt with more than just computers so could ride it out. Viscount Electronics thought was only a small shop specialising in only computers and so was vunerable.
Viscount electronics epotimised the local personal/hobby computer shop that bought computing to many of us who discovered it in the early 1980s. It had a significant role here in Palmerston North.
As far as I know Frank still lives locally. If you ever read this Frank, I'd welcome your reflections. Your shop was influential in many people's lives!