[Malvern] the Museum of Computing, Swindon

[Ian Pascoe]

This sounds like a really cool place for those who have been dabbling for
some time .... I wonder if it would rival Paul's collection?

E

-----Original Message-----
Hi folks,

I just wanted to give some feedback on the Museum Of Computing
"Challenge Santa" event and some support for Dianne's idea of an Ubuntu
Geekathon next year at the museum.

The event was really interesting, there were a fairly good range of
machines laid out with some actually up and running (ranging from a
couple of Spectrum machines up to the Playstation 2 and Gamecube) all
running christmas themed games.  I actually quite enjoyed one of the
games on the Spectrum.  Dianne showed me around the back room and I was
amazed at the amount of different machines they had.  Anything from the
ZX81 up to more recent kit, including some HP and Sun gear.  All I could
say was that it was a real nostalga trip.  Some of the machines I
remember from when I was younger (much younger) and other machines I've
only read about in magazines (such as the Enterprise 64 and Memotech 512).

One of the guys I was talking to there (I think it was Simon?) said that
they don't have an original IBM AT or a 286, so if anyone has any such
machines lying around that they don't want I'm sure the museum would
quite happily find a home for them.

While I was there Dianne mentioned about possibly doing an Ubuntu event
(from what it sounds like, an install/demonstration day).  She said that
they have a big hall which could be used with a projector for
demonstrations.  I think it would be a great idea.  Not only could we
demonstrate and install Ubuntu for visitors, we could also have a play
with some of the old machines.

For those of you who are interested, I'll post some pictures later up on
my photobucket account so you can get an idea of what sort of machines
they have at the museum.

I'd also say, if you have any interest in retro machines and you don't
live too far from Swindon (or you're like me, willing to travel - I
travelled up from Torquay) then it would be well worth a visit and I
guarantee you'd see something and say "I remember that" or "I had one of
those".

Rob