On Wed, 7 Apr 2004, Dwight K. Elvey wrote:
> >From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf_at_siconic.com>
> >
> >On Wed, 7 Apr 2004, Tony Duell wrote:
> >
> >> One thing puzzles me. What's so significant about 40 years?
> >>
> >> Why wasn't there a similar message on this list 8 years ago, saying
> that
> >> the 360 was 32 years old -- a nice round number ?
> >
> >Because 8 years ago this hobby was at a level that is a small fraction
> of
> >its current state. Way more people are cognizant today of the
> importance
> >of celebrating computer history than 8 years ago.
> >
> >--
> >
> >Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer
>
> Hi Sellam
> You missed the point, 40 is base 10, 32 is base 2.
Er, I think (or at least interpreted) Tony's point to be why we are
celebrating this now at 40 (i.e. base 10) when 32 (base 2) is so much
nerdier? But the fact is that we've come a long way in recognizing the
importance of computer history. An IBM 360 celebration could've happened
at 32, but most people would be going, "Huh?" And there would not be the
huge turnout that is expected at the CHM tonight.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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Received on Wed Apr 07 2004 - 20:22:27 BST