Museum Computers (was Re: Washington D.C. Trip

From: Mike Cheponis <mac_at_Wireless.Com>
Date: Thu May 31 12:04:43 2001

Perhaps these so-called "museums" need to visit SF's Exploratorium? There,
everything is meant to be "hands-on". This doesn't mean that things don't
break from time to time, but the percentage of operational exhibits there
is greater than any other public museum I've seen.

Mind you, I'm not saying people should put an Eniac cabinet out where
people can slobber over it, but I think it would be cool to be able to
remote-control these older machines (I dunno, like a 360/50 or something)
via modern interfaces - safely away from the original equipment, but
yet behind glass - so you can see the original machine running.

So yeah, Chuck, I agree!

-Mike

On Thu, 31 May 2001, Chuck McManis wrote:

> Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 09:04:39 -0700
> From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
> Reply-To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> Subject: Museum Computers (was Re: Washington D.C. Trip
>
>
> >The problem with working machines with millions of people tocuhing them over
> >the years
> >is that the machines tend to break. Even the modern display terminals
> >used for
> >presentation are
> >in constant need of repair due to fingers smashing and otherwise folks that
> >don't respect the equipment out of common courtesy. Computers don't hold up
> >well to abuse. Its a shame but the way that it is.
> >Eric
>
>
> This is one of the problems I think would be fun to attack if I had a
> suitable patron. Building I/O devices that could stand up to the kind of
> abuse that museums get.
>
>
Received on Thu May 31 2001 - 12:04:43 BST