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Living Computer Museum Opens To Public In Seattle
New submitter seawall writes "Paul Allen just opened the Living Computer Museum in Seattle. The 'Living' means many of the computers are actually running. There's a Xerox Sigma 9, which was introduced in 1971 and is quite similar to the computer that sent the first signal over Arpanet. There's also Tops-10 on original DEC hardware, an operating TOAD-1 system, and a DEC PDP-7 that's one of only four in the world."
..some other idiot who refuses to upgrade his computers but will probably still want customer support.
Doesn't the "living" part of Living Computer make it a zoo?
Admissions:
General - $5
Student - $2
Senior - $2
Active Military - $2
Child (under 12) - Free
...prehistoric devices like the Zune?
Well, the DEC-10 is mainly discrete logic chips and Transistors. Depending upon its exact vintage I expect that there would be lots of 74xxx IC's.
If they had a PDP-11 then I'd think about donating the VS-11 and VT30-D graphics cards I have in my loft.
There is even the Colour lookup unit for the VS-11. I modified the RSX-11 and VMS drivers for the CLU functionality.
I'd like to see a PDP-11/VS-11 running the Luna Lander game. That would bring back a load of memories.
... before a dialog box pops up on these systems and states that Adobe Flash Reader needs to install a Critical Update.
They can take my LifeAlert pendant when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.
Good, because I would LOVE to be the IT guy who gets to fix these computers. You have to know your roots!
sudo make me a sandwich
If you're looking for a place to visit in Seattle, I think your time would be better spent here:
http://museumofcommunications.org/
Their hours are really weird but it's the best museum (and one of the best kept secrets) in Seattle. They've got a gigantic collection of old (early 20th century) telephone switching gear that is operational and available for viewing. The oldest is a nearly completely mechanical computer that Babbage would have probably been at home working on.
The best part of the MoC, though is the docents. It's staffed by a bunch of *old* school engineers in their 70-90s that were all Ma Bell lifers. I've had one of them walk me through the use and repair of an old crossbar switching system and the sheer volume of knowledge that those engineers had to have is mind-blowing. The docents are more than happy to spend a few hours one-one one with you and I guarantee you'll get far more out of your time at this place than Paul Allen's museum.