An Organization (was: Do we have a VAX organization?)

On Sun, 28 Oct 2001, Gunther Schadow wrote: I think that what is needed most is an international organization that covers *all* vintage computers, software, and docs. We need something that's implemented well enough that most of us would be convinced to join. The best starting point I can think of is Sellam's VCF organization: * He already has one of the largest inventories of us all. That's a good start towards a "Noah's ark" collection, which I think should be one function of the organization. * He's got www.vintage.org, which would be a primo domain name for the organization. * He's got www.vintagetech.com, which would be the fundraising part of the organization. Dues could be another. * He's got experience running VCFs. Of course, Sellam would have to be interested in being the organization's fearless leader! Other things the organiztion could do: * A central, Yahoo-like web site that would become the world's foremost resource for vintage computer information. It would try to replicate all available information for preservation. Individual members would also be given a mechanism to have their collection hosted on the site under a uniform interface. Those who resist assimilation could still have their sites linked to. You could get to info either by collector name or a category/manufacturer/series/model tree. It would be wonderful... * SIGs would, of course, solidify according to demand. I imagine the VAX SIG (VSIG?) would be quite well represented. Each SIG could have its own mailing list. The whole thing would be not unlike the FreeBSD mailing list system. * Rename itself from VCF to IVCA. "International Vintage Computing Association" to outsiders, "International Vintage Computing Asylum" for insiders. :-) * I don't know... other stuff. As you can see, I'm all about grandiose ideas. Now won't someone rise up and implement them? :-) -- Jeffrey S. Sharp jss(a)subatomix.com