Time to build a Cork Computer History Museum
Posted on November 14, 2009, by Conor O'Neill, under Cork, Technology.
We have buildings all over Cork, empty. We have a recession. The hospitality industry is crippled. We need something that encourages tourism, makes use of some of that property and points the way to the future.
Can I suggest a Cork Computer History Museum?
What’s one of the biggest attractions in Silicon Valley? The Computer History Museum
What’s one of the biggest tourist draws in London? The Science Museum.
What’s one of Cork’s main tourist attractions now? The Butter Museum.
Where is the biggest cluster of successful tech companies outside of Dublin? Cork.
Randy Jordan has assembled one of the most incredible collections of classic computers anywhere. From IMSAI to Osborne to DEC PDP and Apple Lisa, he has it. Randy has offered the collection to be housed by those who should jump at the chance. They didn’t get it.
Those of us who do _get_ it have despaired when talking to Randy about his computers and the fact that they are almost never seen. The mini-collection he showed today at BarCamp Cork III blew our minds.
Watch this video:
Then think about the thousands of people who fly in and out of Cork every week and work for tech companies. Think about the brilliant but now sadly delayed idea of transforming the Cork docklands into a new tech hub. Think about all those tourists looking for something different. This could be the first step. A building full of technology that shows us the past so we can figure out the future.
Do you have a building lying idle and a vision for where you want Cork to be in 10 years time? Step up to the plate.
6 Replies to "Time to build a Cork Computer History Museum"
Red Links 16/11/09 : Alexia Golez on November 16, 2009
[...] proposes a computer history musuem in Cork. [...]
Fluffy Links – Tuesday November 17th 2009 « Damien Mulley on November 17, 2009
[...] Conor lobbies for a Cork History Museum. [...]
mick on November 17, 2009
Interesting idea Conor, brings my mind back to my early days in IT. I still remember having to bolt a 9.6k modem into a rack, the thing was about the size of 3 brief cases, weighed a ton, and had handles on each side so you could lift it!
It had 3 lights on the front, each the size of a matchbox – power, DCD, and Error, and it sat on a leased line with about 20 users at the far end!
Punch cards and paper tape! Ah i could go on!
Branedy on December 4, 2009
Is this going to be an opportunity of Science in Cork?
http://www.cometocork.ie/index.php/news-and-events/cork-science-park/
Conor O'Neill on December 4, 2009
Oh god I heard about this.
When Cork CoCo heard about the marina/docks regeneration project they decided to compete against it with this idiotic idea.
Do we really need another industrial estate (sorry I meant “science park”) on the edge of the city that will be utterly devoid of life at night and weekends?
Or would we prefer a newly regenerated part of the city with business, shops, cafes and living quarters thriving 24×7?
If you want to see why the public sector is utterly broken, this CoCo vs CityCo bullshit says it all.
Branedy » Blog Archive » Displaying Toys on November 15, 2009
[...] got a cheap thrill from some of my Amazing Collection of computer Toys that I brought to the BarCampCork III meet up. I was more than happy to bring them [...]