30 Oct
2001
30 Oct
'01
5:26 p.m.
On Tue, 30 Oct 2001, Gunther Schadow wrote:
We certainly don't need another mailing list. With
port-vax and
classiccmp (and occasionally comp.os.vms) we have what we need.
Certainly we don't need a new style online forum ... those are
notoriously non-populated.
I would agree. However, the online forums would become repositories for
information, in much the same way that the CC archives are repositories.
I also don't have a sophisticated portal web site
in mind. Something
simple that states the mission of the organization, a few articles
about why preserving classic computing equipment is good. Something
that plays down the collectible asset value (that's important in many
respects!). And most important a list of people and their collections
and activities all over the country and the world. Linking to their
project web sites.
The VCF website is already like this to some extent.
The web site must be simple so it's maintainable.
vintage.org is
fairly simple, but even so some links and features on the front page
don't work, and that shouldn't be. Rather have less stuff that does
the job.
Aside from the language options, which features do you refer to? (I found
the problem with the "NEW" link ;)
About local chapters and national meetings etc.
I'm sceptical too. It
couldn't hurt for some of us weirdos to come out and have some face to
face interaction with real humans, OTOH, this takes even more time
away for those who are already struggling having a family life and
their collection (aside from making a living.) We don't want to steal
people from their spouses and kids.
I envision meetings being held monthly. It would depend on the organizer
of the local club. I can't imagine the club keeping dads or moms from
feeding their kids and giving them the nurturing love that they need to
grow up to be productive and non-threatening members of society. Hell,
bring the kids to the meetings...start them off early with an
appreciation for old tech.
I guess that Isildur is right, the non-profit
incorporation would be
most critical. This would actually provide incentives for folks who
have stuff to decommission. Instead of competing against scrap dealers
we would have an advantage of a tax deduction for old stuff. That's
also why I think we must downplay the collectible asset value. This
I don't like non-profits. Too much overhead and formality required. It
has its benefits, but I prefer the philanthropic approach.
BTW: that's also why I appreciate a clear cut
between the vintage.org
and the vintagetech.com things. I wouldn't ask Sellam to move any
money from his business to the association but the appearence of a
for-profit business next to VCF should not be confounding the
non-profit nature of the association either.
I agree. VintageTech utilizes the VCF Archive for profit gaining motives.
That profit goes towards, among other things, funding the VCF enterprise.
In terms of the need for funds, I'm mostly
interested in a
"dachorganization" that would make it possible to put old computers
into public use. Help those that do. If you run a cluster of VAX
11/780, 8600, and couple of 6000s with full gear, this makes no sense
for the privatier to do 24/7 in terms of electricity. Add the costs of
a decent Internet connection too. If you want to show blinkenlights
(like the cyber PDP-8) you need an even better Internet connection.
Yes, but where do you set up such a playhouse? If everyone is to enjoy
this experience, multiple old computer funhouses would have to be setup
throughout the world.
The whole point of mainframes is multi-user
applications, so it's only
natural that the 11/780 wants to serve users through the network. One
way of doing this would be a "vintage-pass" available to the public
for a fee and for members at a discount. The vintage-pass would give
people accounts on the systems of all members. This could have
multiple levels, like dec-pass, vax-pass, pdp-pass, ibm-pass, etc. It
would include various levels of service, such as guest-account,
individual-user account, up to sysadmin-account. Optional operator
services (Joe Jones mails his old PDP-11 tapes to bring his old work
back to life, etc.) You (or your wife or kids) put the tape in and go.
Aside from the practicality issues and the management of such a network, I
like the idea.
Organizing cyber events, video-conferences, a worm of
1988 revival
fest, could be periodic highlights that warrant press releases and may
draw attention. Perhaps more than an annual meeting that people won't
usually attend anyway.
Any sort of mainstream interest in such an organization is years away. I
was expecting VCF to be big by 5.0. Guess what? I was disappointed. I'm
figuring it MIGHT be a large event by 10.0. But will I even still be
interested in this crap five years from now?
Ask me again in five years... ;)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org