Some embarrassingly rich person needs to give the Computer History Museum enough money to buy all of it. It's puzzling why all his stuff was organized in such a way that it could get wound down like this. Seems like it would have been way better to create a nonprofit then endow it with enough money to keep operating independently.
Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
21–30 of 268 posts
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#22I adored the Living Computers Museum. Being able to just sit down and use an Apple 1, Xerox Alto, Altair 8800, and so many more in the same place was incredible. And then, a friendly museum employee being there to show you how to use it, tell you about what made it unique, etc. was even better. It was so much better than most look-but-don’t-touch museums. It’s really a travesty that Paul Allen’s sister seems bent on…
why is she doing this? for the money, or out of some form of spite?
My impression is that Paul died somewhat suddenly and simply didn’t make arrangements to keep these things going. His sister is not interested in them so she’s winding them down.
It’s too bad he didn’t set up some kind of endowment before he passed. Maybe he didn’t want to or maybe he just didn’t get around to it.
I wonder what will happen to MoPop/EMP. AFAIK that’s always been a financial black hole.
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#23Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#24If it was donated by someone, shouldn't they give it back to the person who donated it? How does it get sold for cash?
In short, because it was donated and not loaned. Once it leaves your hands, the museum can do as it wishes (within the restrictions of its bylaws).
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#25Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#26I adored the Living Computers Museum. Being able to just sit down and use an Apple 1, Xerox Alto, Altair 8800, and so many more in the same place was incredible. And then, a friendly museum employee being there to show you how to use it, tell you about what made it unique, etc. was even better. It was so much better than most look-but-don’t-touch museums. It’s really a travesty that Paul Allen’s sister seems bent on…
why is she doing this? for the money, or out of some form of spite?
Spite is one way to put it. She has no love for anything computers, technology, or otherwise.
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#27I adored the Living Computers Museum. Being able to just sit down and use an Apple 1, Xerox Alto, Altair 8800, and so many more in the same place was incredible. And then, a friendly museum employee being there to show you how to use it, tell you about what made it unique, etc. was even better. It was so much better than most look-but-don’t-touch museums. It’s really a travesty that Paul Allen’s sister seems bent on…
why is she doing this? for the money, or out of some form of spite?
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#28I adored the Living Computers Museum. Being able to just sit down and use an Apple 1, Xerox Alto, Altair 8800, and so many more in the same place was incredible. And then, a friendly museum employee being there to show you how to use it, tell you about what made it unique, etc. was even better. It was so much better than most look-but-don’t-touch museums. It’s really a travesty that Paul Allen’s sister seems bent on…
why is she doing this? for the money, or out of some form of spite?
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#29Deleted all the social accounts and website offline too? Harsh :-(
Re: Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items
#30It sickens me something like this is happening to this unique museum. I knew it was a matter of time, but, still, it’s a tragedy that’s hard to comprehend.