12 Aug
2012
12 Aug
'12
10:57 a.m.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Anderson" <wackyvorlon at me.com>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 1:23 PM
Subject: Re: To all with interest in preservation
That's a good question. While computers are
ubiquitous, machines like the
7090 are, if anything, even rarer than they were back then. They are very
different beasts from what we use today, or will use 20 years from now.
Same goes for punch cards.
I'm inclined to believe that the experience of writing a program, punching
the cards, and running it will be just as magical.
Why would you think somebody who was not around during the time of punch
cards would find that method of input magical? Do you think some kid who
programs a huge GPS controlled harvester out in the huge farms would think
hooking up a plow to an ox is magical? Most people go to museums and thank
GOD they don't have to do things like they did back in the old days and look
forward to new ways of doing things that will cut down the time and energy
they need to expend (or better yet just let a machine do it all), that to
them is magical.