Newsletter Archives

• AskWoody at the computer museum

  Posted on March 10, 2025 at 02:42 CDT by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  HISTORY

  

  By Will Fastie

  In January, I invited AskWoody Plus members from this part of the world to join me at the System Source Computer Museum near Baltimore.

  Many Plus members responded, enough that I could set a date, make appropriate arrangements with the museum, and send formal invitations.

  It proved to be a delightful event. Our guests were uniformly impressed by the museum, and all seemed to enjoy themselves. It was great to meet our Plus members in person, and I am especially grateful to those who came from farther away than I expected.

  I thank all who attended. If you are a Plus member, expect an invitation to our next tour soon. It will probably be scheduled in late April. Those from the previous list who could not be accommodated will be first in line.

  
  Plus members in the IBM room at the museum, with an IBM 360/20 in the background.
  Photo courtesy Plus member Dr. David Peisner.

  See more photos in our Plus Newsletter (22.10.0, 2025-03-10).

  History Computers, History, Museums, Newsletters

• The Millers at the museum

  Posted on December 19, 2024 at 03:00 CST by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  My recent article How the IBM PC changed my life generated many responses, most relating experiences with early personal computing. One Plus member, Jack Miller, got in touch because he realized we had a similar background, including Army service at about the same time. At some point during our exchange, I mentioned the Maryland Computer Museum and Jack mentioned that he had some things that the museum might want. I put him in touch with Bob Roswell, the museum’s founder and curator.

  Jack and his wife Jeanine then decided to take a road trip from Ohio to deliver some old computer magazines that the museum lacked. I appreciated the visit because AskWoody is not only spread over the US but also around the world. It’s not often that I get to meet a Plus member in the flesh. In fact, it’s never happened before!

  Jack and Jeanine enjoyed their museum tour, especially the moment Jack sat down in front of an IBM System 3, the computer that got him into computing for life.

  I thank the Millers for coming so far and for an enjoyable visit.

  

  Will Fastie, Jack Miller, and Bob Roswell, with Univac 490 in background. Photo courtesy Jeanine Miller. Used with permission.

  History Computers, History, Museums

• A computer museum near you is closing soon

  Posted on July 10, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.28 • 2023-07-10

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  You certainly remember your first boyfriend or girlfriend. You might also remember your first cigarette and your first drink (hopefully not while driving your first car). But who’s going to remember the pioneering computer technology breakthroughs that have put mainframe power on everyone’s desks and in everyone’s pockets?

  There are discouraging signs that much of our electronic history is going to be lost.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.28.0, 2023-07-10).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Public Defender History, Museums, Newsletters