21 Jan
2012
21 Jan
'12
4:24 a.m.
If it can run it should run.
Yes protect it from those who know not.
What I am agin is electronic taxidermy
?
Rod Smallwood
?
?
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of Richard
Sent: 20 January 2012 20:41
To: cctalk
Subject: Re: CHM's PDP-1 (was Re: PDP-8/I at the RICM)
In article <4F19B636.4050602 at bitsavers.org>,
Al Kossow <aek at bitsavers.org> writes:
what
I know that
both the LCM and the CHM run their systems, but I think
you'll agree that running them 24/7 is a bit different than running
them a couple hours every two weeks.
Running a paper tape based computer that requires operator training makes
no sense to run 24/7. The point plot CRT has problems with deflection
amplifier failures and the team that maintains the PDP-1 has never
suggested that we run it unattended.
24/7 operation makes sense for timesharing environments, which has been LCM has been offering access to for a while now.
I agree with everything you've written. I didn't mean to imply that
the difference between the way LCM does things and the way CHM does
things means that one is better than the other. I like that we have
different organizations so that we can pursue both the preservation
goal and the operational goal.
My personal interpretation is that we make available
all of the
documentation and software that can be located, which is of the most
use to people not in the San Fransisco Bay area, and not use
CHM's space and other resources for restorations. This view is
shared by the other curators at the museum.
I have no problem with that either.
We had around 65,000 visitors last year. With that
many members
of the general public in an exhibit, theft and vandalism becomes
a real concern. Along with that, many people feeling the need to
touch artifacts, climb on platforms, and try to do things like open
equipment drawers.
Yes, proper treatment of the equipment is something that concerns me
in making interactive hands-on exhibits. Ultimately, it may boil down
to making sacrificial replicas for which no harm is ultimately done
should vandalism and monkeying about be a concern. I think my museum
will be small enough for a while that this won't be an immediate
concern (i.e. with 3 seats and an exhibit that's not being used
without someone overseeing it's use).
However, this is something that will most likely need to be addressed
in some fashion at some point. Remember, the cages in zoos protect
not only the visitors from the animals, but also protect the animals
from the visitors.
--
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