Re: disposition of largest private DEC collection in USA

From: patrick jankowiak (eccm_at_swbell.net)
Date: 01/23/05 

Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:27:01 GMT

Bill Gunshannon wrote:

> In article <41f284c5$0$812$9b4e6d93@newsread2.arcor-online.net>,
> Keith Cayemberg <keith.cayemberg@arcor.de> writes:
>
>>Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In article <41f237b0$0$821$9b4e6d93@newsread2.arcor-online.net>,
>>> Keith Cayemberg <keith.cayemberg@arcor.de> writes:
>>>
>>>
>>>>MoS | Museum of Science, Boston
>>>>http://www.tcm.org/
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Isn't this the place that trashed all their real computer stuff
>>>including stuff that had been donated by people like Dennis
>>>Ritchie? I sure didn't see anything vintage computer related
>>>on thier website.
>>>
>>>bill
>>>
>>
>>Could be. That is maybe why they are no longer call themselves "The
>>Computer Museum" (TCM). Then it is good that such proposals are
>>discussed in a forum.
>>
>>Thanks Bill.
>>
>
>
> I have wanted to start a computer museum here at the University
> for a long time. I figured if I could get commitments from a
> few corporations for operating funds I could probably convince
> the University to give me the necessary space. But I really
> don't know how to go about finding corporate sponsers. :-(
> My idea is to have a real hands on facility where people can
> come in and actually play with the equipment. I would also
> make as much of it as I could available on the INTERNET with
> guest accounts. But, I'm probably just dreaming again.
>
> bill
>

I have some experience with such entities. Unless permanent space
is allocated, items are often eventually disposed of
unceremoniously and in an ugly manner. I witnessed this at the
"texas broadcast museum". The volunteers were suddenly locked
out, and the BOD privately sold off many assets to line their
own pockets, and the stuff that was too big to sell was trashed
(including the Voice of America broadcasting console and an
ancient 5000 watt RCA AM transmitter) and the place now converted
to guided tours hands-off, beginning and ending in the gift shop
which had been the tech lab where exhibits were serviced.. May
the BOD rot for that disgrace.

I am not saying that's what would happen, but I am concerned for
the future of our historical charges and the legacy they bespeak.

http://www.montagar.com/~patj/hcsale/index.html

OPCOM

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