On Sat, 7 Apr 2001, bill claussen wrote:
> Very well stated and welcome to all that are interested in your given area!
To be serious (for once) I think it's terrific that "kids" are interested
in old computers. To show an interest in machines that in some cases
predate themselves shows a reverence and appreciation for computer
technology, and this is the type of person the world needs to continue
progress. Seriously. Back in the 50s the US was on such a push to
emphasize technology in schools, but nowadays we are teaching kids how to
be users and nothing more. I'm glad to see younger folks taking it upon
themselves to explore technology at a more fundamental level. These are
the ones who will become the great programmers and engineers of the
future.
One of the things I am doing to promote appreciation of old computers and
computer history amongst the younger generation is preparing a
mini-lecture on computer history that I plan to give at local schools (for
free of course). My idea is to show them how we got to where we are today
with computing technology, for example showing them an evolution of disk
drive technology by comparing a ZIP drive to a 3.5" to a 5.25" to an 8" to
paper tape to punch cards, etc. And actually bringing the drives in too!
It won't interest all of them, or even most of them, but the ones that
were waiting to discover computers will certainly "get it", and those are
the ones I want to reach.
Plus once I get them hooked I can then recruit them to do menial tasks for
the VCF Archives like cataloguing books and schlepping stuff around ;)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger
http://www.vintage.org
Received on Sun Apr 08 2001 - 10:43:36 BST