Clueless Museums (was: Final Xerox Star demo)

From: William Donzelli <william_at_ans.net>
Date: Fri Jun 5 23:14:08 1998

> Agreed... But for a technical artifact, 'original condition' implies that
> it works IMHO. Most computers (for example) worked when they left the
> factory.

Like the Coleco Adam?

> IMHO it's a very shallow viewpoint to examine a technical object,
> whatever it may be, on the basis of the appearence of the components.

> There are (IMHO) idiots who hide new capacitors in the empty cases of the
> old ones, just so an old radio looks right.

I do not have a problem with doing that, _provided_ that the part is
obviously "filled". A non-removable tag stating the repair, cleverly
hidden but clearly obvious to anyone doing an audit, is my standard. With
this, the object could be viewed and photographed without the distraction
of the tag, yet if anyone was to study the components, the truth would
clearly be revealed.

> What I do it to mount up the
> new one without drilling large (or preferably any) holes and make a note
> that the component has been replaced. And keep the old one.

Yes!

> Before all you radio collectors flame me, let me point out that we don't
> know how a future collector will examine the set. He may well open up the
> capacitor cans. And if he finds a second can hidden inside he may thing
> that's how it was made at the factory. And that would be a Bad Thing.

Documentation, documentation, documentation...

William Donzelli
william_at_ans.net
Received on Fri Jun 05 1998 - 23:14:08 BST