Real chip issues being discussed in a civil manner and inteliigently. Nice.

I also find it interesting that the issue is being presented solely in terms of preference of appearance, which makes sense to me. I have read over and over again on this board over the years that this issue is one of preserving "history." I could never tell if that reference was serious or facetious. The fact is that chip collectors do not use the dirt/etc. on chips to reveal any information at all. At least not that I'm aware of. And even archaeologists clean their artifacts once all of the surrounding soil, etc. has been examined. So, the issue always seemed one of aesthetics, which, as we know, are in the eye of the beholder. Well, that and the issue of harming the chip chemically brought up by Archie.

Michael Siskin