Author: Will Singleton
Date: 22:09:48 09/24/00
Go up one level in this thread
On September 24, 2000 at 22:33:10, William Bryant wrote: >On September 24, 2000 at 22:08:08, Will Singleton wrote: > >>On September 24, 2000 at 21:17:12, D Ridge wrote: >> >>>Greetings All, >>> >>>I'd like your collective opinion on an ambitious, gigantic and noble project >>>I've been thinking about. My name is David Ridge, I'm in my mid-forties and I've >>>been a computer chess fanatic for 23 years. >>> >>>My first machine was a Chess Challenger 7 in 1978 and I've owned over 40 >>>different dedicated units between now and then. Like most of you, I mostly use >>>chess software on a PC these days but I have fond memories of those early days >>>when dedicated units ruled and a newer, stronger, better one was always just >>>around the corner. >>> >>>You see, I learned chess in 1978, just when dedicated chess playing units were >>>becoming technically possible. For those of you who weren't around the scene >>>then, I'll tell you a little about it. The early machines played poorly, but so >>>did I. They improved with each new unit and, so did I. We kind of grew together. >>> >>>The late 70's and early 80's saw a furious pace of development with great >>>imagination and ingenuity applied to some very unique concepts like the Scisys >>>Mark V and the Executive hand-held. Even Mattel got into the act with a LCD >>>pocket unit. There were LCD touch screens and Robot Adversaries. Heady days >>>indeed. >>> >>>Anyway, I've been thinking a lot lately that someone ought to preserve this >>>history of computer chess. A computer Chess Museum is required. Of course this >>>could never be a commercially viable project. People aren’t going to line up >>>around the block to buy tickets to see this stuff. >>> >>>Some form a privately owned view-by-appointment collection would be the way to >>>go. I would like to try to take this project on. Now, I know there were about >>>500 different units manufactured since the beginning of time and, since I'm not >>>wealthy (an understatement to be sure) there is no way I could afford to >>>purchase these things. >>> >>>Surely many of the really old ones are probably lying dormant and worthless in >>>someone's closet or garage, waiting for the next yard sale.I was thinking that I >>>would appeal to the world chess community to send me their old, useless, unloved >>>computers for a nominal fee of ..say…$10 to compensate them for the trouble of >>>packaging it up and I would also pay the cost of shipping. In return I would >>>pledge to inscribe their name prominently as "Donated by...", sort of their >>>chance at immortality. >>> >>>I'm not talking about finding all 500…that would be unrealistic. I'm thinking >>>that, over a period of years, 100 to 200 units could be accumulated, all >>>representing something different or unique. Perhaps a kind of retirement >>>project. >>> >>>Do you think it would fly or am I over-estimating people's philanthropy? Or am I >>>just plain crazy?? >>> >>>Looking forward to your responses. >>> >>>You can respond here or to me directly at dridge@idirect.com. >>> >>>Thanks >>> >>>David >> >>Good idea. I think a number of people have wanted to do something like this, >>myself included. One large problem, of course, is space. Where the heck could >>you display all these machines appropriately? It almost has to be the type of >>deal where a guy dedicates a room or two in his place, then has the ability to >>schedule time, etc. Would be nice if it was in a large city, so folks could get >>there easily. >> >>I'd also like to see early programs that ran on the appleII series, as well as >>the pc, commodore, etc. Of course, then you'd really need some generosity. >> >>I have a couple old machines I can donate, but I'd like to see a list of >>commitments before going forward. I'll commit to a CompuChess and a Boris >>(subject to where you are, and if you have your act together). >> >>Will > >I think I've been less of a Chess-head (meant as a compliment) than most. But, >the first computer I owned was a brand-spankin new Macintosh 128 back in 1984. >The first program I ever purchased was Sargon III. I have all the original box, >disks and packing. I'll add to the effort. (Sorry, I want to keep the computer). > >William >wbryant@ix.netcom.com > >(btw Will, before you get rid of your Lisa, I want a chance to see it. I've >never had the opportunity to look at one of those machines. Big problem is that >you're in California (I think), and I'm in Oklahoma.). How did you know I have a Lisa? I must have mentioned it some time ago, I guess. But I haven't run it in years, don't know if it will power up.
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