I didn't read any of this thread until tonight, when I read the whole thing ... and now I have a headache. :) Some thoughts: Tony wrote: >>> What benefit would there be to the rest of the classic computer community if I visited such an event Having attended five VCF events (four California, one Boston) and personally organized four more (East 3, 4, 5, and 6), I can say this with complete confidence: VCF attendees (and most exhibitors) don't attend with the attitude, "Everyone is there to see ME" -- they go with the attitude of, "I'm there to see everyone else." VCF is a * community * event. Even some of the most name-brand keynote and panel speakers at past VCFs were excited to see the rest of the show, despite them truly being brought in for others to meet. Anyone non-celebrity who thinks their personal attendance is for others' benefit -- well, such people won't be missed. Rod wrote: >>> it would appear that computer museums are groups of donation funded, unpaid volunteers That part is true. In the MARCH computer museum @ the InfoAge Science Center, here in New Jersey, we're all volunteers and our group is solely donation-funded. False. We're not out for quantity. We turn away quite a lot -- and so do professional well-funded museums like the CHM. Here in NJ, sometimes we do take in more examples of Computers Brand X than we really need, but usually that's because the alternative is the owner throwing it away. We make systems work for the art, education, fun, and history of it. * Of course * that also includes attracting visitors -- how is that a bad thing!? I can't speak for other museums, but we're a not-for-profit, so any "revenue" we make is solely for the purpose of operating the museum and hosting events like VCF, certainly not to line anyone's pockets. store even more non working equipment and keep it out of sight and accessible only to the select few. That's not only wrong, it is offensive. Small museums like ours, and big museums like CHM, have "visible storage" and frequently arrange behind-the-scenes tours -- expressly because we want to * show * people what we have in our collections. In our case here at MARCH, it's also because we hope the visitors will become members and help us restore ever-more systems to working condition. Pat wrote: >>> At all of the VCF/Midwest events I ran, I never had any problem with any of the public doing anything to harm exhibits, and the exhibitors have complete control (within reason anyhow) of their own exhibit. That is universally true at all U.S. VCFs, and it's true at Europe, from what Hans has told me. Sellam, not Patrick, nor myself has ever had a security problem at a VCF. Here in NJ, our security is extra-safe, because we host VCF at our own venue -- so we're the ones who lock the doors at the end of the day. Will wrote: >>> I would encourage all our UK and European members to give this show a chance. Go. You will have fun. Go to any VCF you can. Yes !!! But take it outside, please. :) No fighting in our buildings! will be had by all attending. I wish I could be there +1 Tony wrote, in another reply: >>> from what I've heard from talking to people who've attended the VCF in the States or in Germany, it appears it will be a somewhat different sort of event. I haven't heard that. aimed at that I will not be attending. It's aimed at all the same kinds of people who attend every other VCF. you're saying you won't attend because you don't like "those" kind of nerds? Gee ... thanks.