> >1. They are higher profile that individual
enthusiats
> >and therefore a magnet for systems that might
otherwise
> >end up in the dumpster or with scrappers.
>
> What do you mean by "higher profile"? There are some
private
> collectors, no doubt, with noble and intelligent
motives
> rivaling that of some museum staffs.
I suppose I meant "more well known," which I probably
should have used.
>
> >2. They tend to be open to the general public
making
> >the machines accessible to anyone who wants to
see
> >them.
>
> What would you suggest is the foremost reason for
"seeing"
> them?
>
Well in my case, I find them pleasing to look at. I
like seeing, and being able to touch, systems that I
have heard about or know about, butI do not own.
> >3. They educate the public about the value of
> >preserving old computers, and introduce new
people to
> >the hobby. (I know some may not think this is
> >necessarily a good thing.)
>
> Would you suppose that there are other causes even
more
> significant than encouraging computers as a hobby
through
> museum displays?
>
Of course, but that doesn't mean that there's anything
wrong with it.
> >4. The curators tend to be schooled in
preservation,
> >and while they may not operate their machines,
they
> >usually keep them safe, dry, etc.
>
> Private collectors can do the same, if they wish,
although
> I doubt that many private collectors would enjoy
"dead"
> machines as well as "live" ones.
Yes, they can. I didn't intend that a negative
inference be drawn for all collectors.
> >6. Museums can sometimes undertake restoration
> >projects that require the coordination of people
and
> >resources that individuals would unlikely be able
to
> >accomplish on their own, such as those undertaken
by
> >The Computer Museum History Center located at
Moffett
> >Airfield.
>
> Is there a URL for it?
Sure:
http://www.computerhistory.org/
Received on Wed Mar 07 2001 - 01:39:32 GMT