12 Mar
2023
12 Mar
'23
9:27 a.m.
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week. I always wanted
to check it out and spend a day there, but something else happens. Any recommendations of
what is a must see at the museum and anything else classic computing nearby in one day
only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
12 Mar
12 Mar
9:51 a.m.
I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations
of what is a must see at the museum and anything else
classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
I've only been once a couple years ago. It's an excellent and worthwhile
visit. I only had a day as well, and can't note on other nearby "classic
computing" places (I think the DigiBarn is a bit further to the south, not
sure if open to the public). But just a quick note about food: The
cafeteria they had downstairs wasn't open at the time. You might prepare
your own snack since as I recall there wasn't much eating options in the
immediate area (there is a coffee and sandwich shop across the street, easy
walking distance).
-Steve
9:59 a.m.
Digibarn computers have been moved to the SystemSource computer museum in
Hunt Valley MD.
BIll
On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 12:52 PM Steve Lewis via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
I am visiting
the Computer History Museum in California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations
of what is a must see at the museum and anything
else classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
I've only been once a couple years ago. It's an excellent and worthwhile
visit. I only had a day as well, and can't note on other nearby "classic
computing" places (I think the DigiBarn is a bit further to the south, not
sure if open to the public). But just a quick note about food: The
cafeteria they had downstairs wasn't open at the time. You might prepare
your own snack since as I recall there wasn't much eating options in the
immediate area (there is a coffee and sandwich shop across the street, easy
walking distance).
-Steve
11:36 a.m.
FYI: DigiBarn is closed for good and all collections were transferred
to a museum back east.
Steve
On 3/12/23 9:51 AM, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote:
I am visiting
the Computer History Museum in California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations
of what is a must see at the museum and anything
else classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
I've only been once a couple years ago. It's an excellent and worthwhile
visit. I only had a day as well, and can't note on other nearby "classic
computing" places (I think the DigiBarn is a bit further to the south, not
sure if open to the public). But just a quick note about food: The
cafeteria they had downstairs wasn't open at the time. You might prepare
your own snack since as I recall there wasn't much eating options in the
immediate area (there is a coffee and sandwich shop across the street, easy
walking distance).
-Steve
8:52 p.m.
On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 9:52 AM Steve Lewis via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
There are at least half a dozen or more eating options across the street,
and several more within easy walking distance.
Your favorite online mapping facility will confirm this.
Sellam
I am visiting
the Computer History Museum in California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations
of what is a must see at the museum and anything
else classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
I've only been once a couple years ago. It's an excellent and worthwhile
visit. I only had a day as well, and can't note on other nearby "classic
computing" places (I think the DigiBarn is a bit further to the south, not
sure if open to the public). But just a quick note about food: The
cafeteria they had downstairs wasn't open at the time. You might prepare
your own snack since as I recall there wasn't much eating options in the
immediate area (there is a coffee and sandwich shop across the street, easy
walking distance).
12:24 p.m.
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week
Tarek,
I forgot, I have my own little CHM notes page here:
https://voidstar.blog/vcf-west-2021/
Not much, since at the time not all the exhibits were re-opened yet - so
there is much more to see now-a-days. May look into the schedule of their
1401 demo (I think they do fairly regularly, but schedule may vary).
While in the area, I did make it over to Oakhurst to see the old Sierra
(software company) buildings - it was meaningful to me, but it's a far
drive. I have notes about it at the bottom of this page:
https://voidstar.blog/san-francisco-california-2021/
-Steve
On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 11:28 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and
anything else classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
1 p.m.
Thank you so much. The links are extremely helpful. Actually, your entire blog is
excellent, Steve
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
On Mar 12, 2023, at 12:24 PM, Steve Lewis via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week
Tarek,
I forgot, I have my own little CHM notes page here:
https://voidstar.blog/vcf-west-2021/
Not much, since at the time not all the exhibits were re-opened yet - so
there is much more to see now-a-days. May look into the schedule of their
1401 demo (I think they do fairly regularly, but schedule may vary).
While in the area, I did make it over to Oakhurst to see the old Sierra
(software company) buildings - it was meaningful to me, but it's a far
drive. I have notes about it at the bottom of this page:
https://voidstar.blog/san-francisco-california-2021/
-Steve
> On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 11:28 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <
> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
> Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week.
> I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
> happens. Any recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and
> anything else classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)?
>
> Regards,
> Tarek Hoteit 
1:42 p.m.
On 3/12/23 15:00, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk wrote:
Thank you so much. The links are extremely helpful.
Actually, your entire blog is excellent, Steve
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
> On Mar 12, 2023, at 12:24 PM, Steve Lewis via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
>
>
>> Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week
> Tarek,
>
> I forgot, I have my own little CHM notes page here:
> https://voidstar.blog/vcf-west-2021/
>
> Not much, since at the time not all the exhibits were re-opened yet - so
> there is much more to see now-a-days. May look into the schedule of their
> 1401 demo (I think they do fairly regularly, but schedule may vary).
>
> While in the area, I did make it over to Oakhurst to see the old Sierra
> (software company) buildings - it was meaningful to me, but it's a far
> drive. I have notes about it at the bottom of this page:
> https://voidstar.blog/san-francisco-california-2021/
>
> -Steve
>
>
>
> <snip>
You might check the shops across the street on maps to see their
hours.
With the area, they are most likely to be open during hours when the
surrounding offices are occupied during the week, so on weekends as
mentioned earlier might need to go a bit to find food. But there are a
lot of spots around that are good.
The Microdata 1600 I donated to the CHM is of course my favorite. In the
timeline part of the display
Thanks
Jim
4:04 p.m.
Thanks Jim -> will take a photo of Microdata 1600!
“The Microdata 1600 I donated to the CHM is of course my favorite. In the timeline part of
the display”
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
On Mar 12, 2023, at 1:43 PM, jim stephens via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 3/12/23 15:00, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk wrote:
Thank you so much. The links are extremely helpful. Actually, your entire blog is
excellent, Steve
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
>> On Mar 12, 2023, at 12:24 PM, Steve Lewis via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
>
>> Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week
> Tarek,
>
> I forgot, I have my own little CHM notes page here:
> https://voidstar.blog/vcf-west-2021/
>
> Not much, since at the time not all the exhibits were re-opened yet - so
> there is much more to see now-a-days. May look into the schedule of their
> 1401 demo (I think they do fairly regularly, but schedule may vary).
>
> While in the area, I did make it over to Oakhurst to see the old Sierra
> (software company) buildings - it was meaningful to me, but it's a far
> drive. I have notes about it at the bottom of this page:
> https://voidstar.blog/san-francisco-california-2021/
>
> -Steve
>
>
>
> <snip>
You might check the shops across the street on maps to see their
hours. With the area, they are most likely to be open during hours when the surrounding
offices are occupied during the week, so on weekends as mentioned earlier might need to go
a bit to find food. But there are a lot of spots around that are good.
The Microdata 1600 I donated to the CHM is of course my favorite. In the timeline part of
the display
Thanks
Jim
1:21 p.m.
It's a good question on other things to see. Google's campus is sort of
near but I think you need to know someone that works at Google to eat there
or hang out.
There USED to be the awesome random parts store "Weird Stuff" but
unfortunately they went under.
Not sure if there's a list of cool stores in the area.
On Sun, Mar 12, 2023, 11:28 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California anything
else classic computing nearby?
4:12 p.m.
Intel Museum in Santa Clara is with a visit.
On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 9:28 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and
anything else classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
--
Lee Courtney
+1-650-704-3934 cell
9 p.m.
On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 9:28 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week.
I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else
happens. Any recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and
anything else classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
The Silicon Valley of old is basically dead. The magic is gone.
That being said, wherever you decide to go, you'll want to plan your travel
between a very narrow window of time (I don't know what it is anymore, when
I left it was between roughly 11am and 1pm but was constantly narrowing)
during which you will want to be on the highways. Outside those hours and
you will spend most of your time enjoying the sights of garbage-strewn
highways and the sounds of Bay Area traffic.
Besides the CHM, I can't think of anything that's even around anymore to
consider to visiting otherwise. Even stupid Fry's is gone. Like I said,
the Silicon Valley of old is dead.
You might still catch a De Anza swap meet. Do they still hold it at De
Anza, or did it get moved again? Or is that swap finally dead also?
The DEC collectors group still meets, you might be able to time your visit
with one of their regular meetings and meet at least a couple other
longtime members of this list.
Lee mentioned the Intel museum. I'm glad to hear that's still open. Is
that place on Woz Way still open? I forget what it's called.
Oh well, it was a good run.
Sellam
9:27 p.m.
On Sun, 12 Mar 2023, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote:
The Silicon Valley of old is basically dead. The
magic is gone.
That being said, wherever you decide to go, you'll want to plan your travel
between a very narrow window of time (I don't know what it is anymore, when
I left it was between roughly 11am and 1pm but was constantly narrowing)
during which you will want to be on the highways. Outside those hours and
you will spend most of your time enjoying the sights of garbage-strewn
highways and the sounds of Bay Area traffic.
Besides the CHM, I can't think of anything that's even around anymore to
consider to visiting otherwise. Even stupid Fry's is gone. Like I said,
the Silicon Valley of old is dead.
You might still catch a De Anza swap meet. Do they still hold it at De
Anza, or did it get moved again? Or is that swap finally dead also?
The DEC collectors group still meets, you might be able to time your visit
with one of their regular meetings and meet at least a couple other
longtime members of this list.
Lee mentioned the Intel museum. I'm glad to hear that's still open. Is
that place on Woz Way still open? I forget what it's called.
Oh well, it was a good run.
. . . and that nostalgia of what we miss is what fueled stupid prices for
a not-to-scale advertising map poster that mentioned some of what once was
It used to be worth driving an hour to go to the Computer Literacy
bookstore, . . .
and the Foothill swap, before dawn, . . .
even the John Craig Computer Swap America at the San Jose fairgrounds, . .
.
Electronics, Etc., and Al Lasher's are gone in Berkeley,
Mike Quinn's at the Oakland airport, even Radio Shack is gone
9:44 p.m.
On Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 12:27 AM Fred Cisin via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
On Sun, 12 Mar 2023, Sellam Abraham via cctalk
wrote:
You can go watch the lines of people trying to get their money out of
Silicon Valley Bank.
I recall driving past the house with the garage that Apple started.
Sushi places around there are good.
Bill
The Silicon Valley of old is basically dead. The
magic is gone.
<snip>
. . . and that nostalgia of what we miss is what fueled stupid prices for
a not-to-scale advertising map poster that mentioned some of what once was
It used to be worth driving an hour to go to the Computer Literacy
bookstore, . . .
and the Foothill swap, before dawn, . . .
even the John Craig Computer Swap America at the San Jose fairgrounds, . .
.
Electronics, Etc., and Al Lasher's are gone in Berkeley,
Mike Quinn's at the Oakland airport, even Radio Shack is gone
9:57 p.m.
On 3/12/23 21:27, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
It used to be worth driving an hour to go to the Computer Literacy
bookstore, . . . and the Foothill swap, before dawn, . . . even the
John Craig Computer Swap America at the San Jose fairgrounds, . . .
Electronics, Etc., and Al Lasher's are gone in Berkeley,
Mike Quinn's at the Oakland airport, even Radio Shack is gone
Thanks for warping me back to 1977. Quinn's was an amazing place to get
lost in, and both Electronics Etc. and Al Lasher's saved my ass on
projects on more than a few occasions.
Apparently I'm old. Jeez.
--
Christian Kennedy, Ph.D.
chris(a)mainecoon.com AF6AP | DB00000692 | PG00029419
http://www.mainecoon.com PGP KeyID 108DAB97
PGP fingerprint: 4E99 10B6 7253 B048 6685 6CBC 55E1 20A3 108D AB97
"Mr. McKittrick, after careful consideration…"
13 Mar
13 Mar
6:42 a.m.
The Silicon Valley of old is basically dead. The
magic is gone.
The two suplus stores are gone (Halted and Weird Stuff Warehouse.) Only
thing I can think of that I would recommend is the Musee Mechanique over
in San Fran.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_M%C3%A9canique
For suplus parts I guess you gotta go to Shenzhen these days.
--
: Ethan O'Toole
12 Mar
12 Mar
9:22 p.m.
I visited CHM in early 2018. I actually didn't go to CHM proper, but
arranged with them to visit a warehouse nearby where they store a lot of
stuff they don't display.
I was able to see my "first personal computer" circa 1962. It was an
IBM 709, the last vacuum tube computer from IBM (I think). It had made
its way through a couple of stops from the Research Computer Laboratory
at the University of Washington to CHM. As an undergraduate, I started
working in the Lab as a Student Operator on the "late" shift
(10pm-6am?). Early in UW quarters there were often no "jobs" to run
through the system, and it sat idle. Plenty of time to fiddle with
learning assembler and Fortran.
If you had something specific of interest, you might be able to arrange
something. I became a member to do this, and still am one today.
Dave
On 3/12/23 9:27 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week. I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something
else happens. Any recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and anything else
classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
9:35 p.m.
I visited CHM in early 2018. I actually didn't go to CHM proper, but
arranged with them to visit a warehouse nearby where they store a lot of
stuff they don't display.
I was able to see my "first personal computer" circa 1962. It was an
IBM 709, the last vacuum tube computer from IBM (I think). It had made
its way through a couple of stops from the Research Computer Laboratory
at the University of Washington to CHM. As an undergraduate, I started
working in the Lab as a Student Operator on the "late" shift
(10pm-6am?). Early in UW quarters there were often no "jobs" to run
through the system, and it sat idle. Plenty of time to fiddle with
learning assembler and Fortran.
If you had something specific of interest, you might be able to arrange
something. I became a member to do this, and still am one today.
Dave
On 3/12/23 9:27 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in
California next week. I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something
else happens. Any recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and anything else
classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
13 Mar
13 Mar
9:48 a.m.
I truly appreciate all the suggestions that I received for my computer history museum
visit this coming Wednesday including the food options and the nearby areas. Some notes
about the “old Silicon Valley”, the limited food options, and some nearby technology shops
being gone is sad, but it is what it is. It is all an outcome of the new generation and
the disregard for the old. I guess the old Silicon Valley is is one big partial museum,
and the new are just the campuses of the big tech companies. Everything else is just now
virtual. I will still make the best out of the visit. Cheers!
Thank you, again.
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
On Mar 12, 2023, at 9:28 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week. I always
wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else happens. Any
recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and anything else classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
14 Mar
14 Mar
12:03 a.m.
The cafeteria is open, there is a Starbucks and even a nice Italian across the street if
you want to treat yourself. On Wednesdays we have a demo of the IBM 1401 at 3 pm, and
before that the restoration team works on it from 10:30 am on (it needs constant
maintenance and repairs to keep it running). I should be there. Come around and say hi!
Google headquarters are up the road, worth a picture in front of the sign. Of course a
stop at Anchor Electronics in Santa Clara if you are interested in vintage components. The
slightly underwhelming Intel Museum in Santa Clara also. No more Weird Stuff, Halted and
Excess Solutions unfortunately :-(
Marc
On Mar 13, 2023, at 9:48 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
I truly appreciate all the suggestions that I received for my computer history museum
visit this coming Wednesday including the food options and the nearby areas. Some notes
about the “old Silicon Valley”, the limited food options, and some nearby technology shops
being gone is sad, but it is what it is. It is all an outcome of the new generation and
the disregard for the old. I guess the old Silicon Valley is is one big partial museum,
and the new are just the campuses of the big tech companies. Everything else is just now
virtual. I will still make the best out of the visit. Cheers!
Thank you, again.
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
> On Mar 12, 2023, at 9:28 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
>
> Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week. I always
wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else happens. Any
recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and anything else classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
>
> Regards,
> Tarek Hoteit
3:32 p.m.
On 3/14/2023 3:03 AM, Curious Marc via cctalk wrote:
The cafeteria is open, there is a Starbucks and even a
nice Italian across the street if you want to treat yourself. On Wednesdays we have a demo
of the IBM 1401 at 3 pm, and before that the restoration team works on it from 10:30 am on
(it needs constant maintenance and repairs to keep it running).
Just keep the temperature in the room down and it will be just fine. :-)
bill
7:14 p.m.
On 3/14/2023 3:03 AM, Curious Marc via cctalk wrote:
The cafeteria is open, there is a Starbucks and even a
nice Italian across
the street if you want to treat yourself. On Wednesdays we have a demo of
the IBM 1401 at 3 pm, and before that the restoration team works on it from
10:30 am on (it needs constant maintenance and repairs to keep it running).
When I saw the 1401 at CHM, somehow it just seemed DIFFERENT than the one
the college had had half a century ago.
Then, I realized the the difference was that at the CHM one, everything
was CLEAN, and it was without the pervasive smell of burnt oil from
overheated items, and spills that hadn't been cleaned up.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
10:19 p.m.
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 7:15 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
On 3/14/2023 3:03 AM, Curious Marc via cctalk wrote:
Bonus Fun Fact: the address of the CHM is 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard.
Sellam
The cafeteria is open, there is a Starbucks and
even a nice Italian
across
the street if you want to treat yourself. On
Wednesdays we have a demo
of
the IBM 1401 at 3 pm, and before that the
restoration team works on it
from
10:30 am on (it needs constant maintenance and
repairs to keep it
running).
When I saw the 1401 at CHM, somehow it just seemed DIFFERENT than the one
the college had had half a century ago.
Then, I realized the the difference was that at the CHM one, everything
was CLEAN, and it was without the pervasive smell of burnt oil from
overheated items, and spills that hadn't been cleaned up.
10:15 p.m.
Awesome. Thank you! I will be there tomorrow Wednesday.
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
On Mar 14, 2023, at 12:03 AM, Curious Marc
<curiousmarc3(a)gmail.com> wrote:
The cafeteria is open, there is a Starbucks and even a nice Italian across the street if
you want to treat yourself. On Wednesdays we have a demo of the IBM 1401 at 3 pm, and
before that the restoration team works on it from 10:30 am on (it needs constant
maintenance and repairs to keep it running). I should be there. Come around and say hi!
Google headquarters are up the road, worth a picture in front of the sign. Of course a
stop at Anchor Electronics in Santa Clara if you are interested in vintage components. The
slightly underwhelming Intel Museum in Santa Clara also. No more Weird Stuff, Halted and
Excess Solutions unfortunately :-(
Marc
> On Mar 13, 2023, at 9:48 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
>
> I truly appreciate all the suggestions that I received for my computer history
museum visit this coming Wednesday including the food options and the nearby areas. Some
notes about the “old Silicon Valley”, the limited food options, and some nearby technology
shops being gone is sad, but it is what it is. It is all an outcome of the new generation
and the disregard for the old. I guess the old Silicon Valley is is one big partial
museum, and the new are just the campuses of the big tech companies. Everything else is
just now virtual. I will still make the best out of the visit. Cheers!
>
> Thank you, again.
>
> Regards,
> Tarek Hoteit
>
>>> On Mar 12, 2023, at 9:28 AM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week. I
always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else happens. Any
recommendations of what is a must see at the museum and anything else classic computing
nearby in one day only (March 15)?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Tarek Hoteit
15 Mar
15 Mar
9:37 a.m.
I just wanted to say that the CHM is great. The exhibits are wonderfully done, and yes,
don't miss the 1401 demo if you can. But there is a lot, starting with Hollerith
machines and ENIAC panels all the way to more contemporary items.
-Erik
9:57 a.m.
Will do ! Thank you
Regards,
Tarek Hoteit
On Mar 15, 2023, at 9:37 AM, ebruchez--- via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
I just wanted to say that the CHM is great. The exhibits are wonderfully done, and yes,
don't miss the 1401 demo if you can. But there is a lot, starting with Hollerith
machines and ENIAC panels all the way to more contemporary items.
-Erik
408
days inactive
411
days old
25 comments
16 participants
participants (16)
-
Bill Degnan -
Bill Gunshannon -
Christian Kennedy -
Curious Marc -
David C. Jenner -
David C. Jenner -
ebruchez＠gmail.com -
Ethan O'Toole -
Fred Cisin -
jim stephens -
John Herron -
Lee Courtney -
Sellam Abraham -
Steve Lewis -
steve shumaker -
Tarek Hoteit