Re: disposition of largest private DEC collection in USA

From: patrick jankowiak (eccm_at_swbell.net)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 02:32:58 GMT

Bill Gunshannon wrote:

> In article <41F3196B.4080708@swbell.net>,
> patrick jankowiak <eccm@swbell.net> writes:
>
>>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.
>>
>
>
> That can happen no matter where the items go, as should be
> evident given the history of the Boston Computer Museum.
> I am configdent that so long as I could continue to garner
> corportate sponsorship in the form of small (small to any
> real corporation) grants to cover operating expenses like
> payroll for the workers/curators [mostly drawn from the
> ranks of students which would a) keep the cost down,
> b) make the operation even more in-line with the mission
> of the University, and c) provide experience and learning
> to the students that I personally think would be invaluable]
> and acquisition of additional exhibits, keeping space would
> not be a problem.
>
> bill
>
Well, please contact me if you think you can do this. I am open
to discussion, just send an e-mail to me at the web page with
contact info, and I can call you, we can always talk about it.

Opcom

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