[SIGCIS-Members] Restoraing computers....

[daniel]

Such restoration projects certainly serve to enhance the history of computer technology. Prototypes and archetypes are vital in any history.

-Daniel Ferrell
Home Acceptance Corporation (NMLS #1151715). 
65 S. Outer Rd.
P.O. Box 72
Benton, MO 63736

> Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:07:09 -0500
> From: evan at snarc.net
> To: dspicer at computerhistory.org; members at sigcis.org
> Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Restoraing computers....
> 
> 
> > New piece today by the BBC on computer restorations, including the Computer History Museum’s IBM 1401 (1959).
> >
> > http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30546592
> >
> > I’d be interested in hearing from SIGCIS members about their perception of the value of doing these kinds of things…
> >
> > Dag
> 
> Everyone knows my perspective, but I'll state it anyway:
> 
> 1. Restorations are very important. Historic computers are machines, not 
> fine art. We need them running in order to truly understand them.
> 
> 2. It's not enough to just restore these machines and have occasional 
> demonstrations. The public should have regular access to them. It's 
> fantastic that CHM restored the 1401 and the PDP-1 (I had the pleasure 
> of playing Spacewar on it, against the guys who programmed that game at 
> MIT), but what about restoring and making available the computers that 
> regular people actually used?
> 
> 3. The answer to #2 is: that's why my group here in NJ and Paul Allen's 
> LCM both exist. It is also why we have events such as the Vintage 
> Computer Festival series. Exotic mainframes are great (and we do those, 
> too), but the public identifies more with a Commodore 64.
> 
> 3A. Non-commercial plug for #3. :)  The next VCF East is April 17-19 
> here at the InfoAge Science Center in New Jersey. vintage.org/2015/east/ 
> ... come see * and use * computers from the 1960s-1980s.
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