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Subject: Dead Media Working Note 11.0
Dead medium: CHIPS: Dead Software, Dead Platforms
From: SeJ_AT_aol.com (Stefan Jones)
Source:
http://www.clark.net/pub/kinesixd/chipsintro.html
Steven Cabrinety, Margaret Cabrinety
Computer History Institute for the Preservation of
Software (CHIPS)
Computer History Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 1627
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-4609
Beginning of excerpt:
=====================
"The collection contains a complete chronicle of the
microcomputer industry with full software representation
in the areas of entertainment, education, utilities and
business applications.
"This undertaking was started in order to track the
growth of the microcomputer industry since the advent of
the silicon chip in the late 1960's. The decisions made
during these formative years would serve as the foundation
for all future applications of computing technology and
thus set the example for all of the hardware and software
that was to follow.
"The broad scope of the collection allows for
historical analysis and the identification of why certain
trends evolved and why specific decisions were made in a
variety of areas and how this will influence the future of
microcomputing. The collection serves as a reference
archive that provides an accurate accounting of
microcomputer history. The foremost goal of the
collection has been to ensure that the accurate and
complete history of the microcomputer revolution is
assembled and preserved so that it will be available to
future generations.
"The collection now contains approximately 50,000
pieces of software supported by roughly 300 complete and
operational microcomputing systems. All major companies
are fully represented. However, one unique aspect of this
collection is its representation of products from over
1,000 smaller companies. As a complement to the software,
a complete assembly of books, periodicals, and other items
relevant to the computer field provide additional
background information.
"Below is a sample of some of the microcomputing
systems contained within the collection. This sample
includes a spread of systems from microcomputer precursors
to the IBM PC. Please keep in mind that this collection
has not been inventoried as of the current date. The list
below is taken from a 1985 prospectus which listed
highlights only. He collected pieces steadily through
October of 1995.
Atari 400/800 XL, XE, ST Series
Commodore Vic 20, 16+4, 64, 128, Amiga
Apple II, II+, IIe, IIc, II GS
IBM PC Jr., PC, and compatibles
MacIntosh 512, Plus, SE II
TRS 80 Model I, II, III, IV and Model 100
Tandy Color Computer II, III
Timex Sinclair 1000
Tomy Tutor
TI 99/4A
NEC 8201A Portable, 8401A
Seiko Wrist Terminal
Heath-Zenith Hero Jr. Robot
Atari 2600, 5200, 7800 Game System
Odyssey
Intellivision I, II, III
Aquarius Computer System
Colecovision
Adam Computer Systems
Nintendo Game System
Sega Game System
GCE Vectrex Aracade System
Actionmax Video System"
Stephen Cabrinety Aug 4,1966 - Oct 4,1995
(((excerpts from a web eulogy by Margaret Cabrinety,
Stephen's sister)))
"Stephen's first love was computers. He spent many
long hours working in front of a computer (he claimed that
he did his best work at 3 a.m.), he liked surfing the Net,
was fascinated with new technology, and of course could
always beat me at computer games! As it turns out, not
only was he a great brother, he was 'ahead of his time'.
"You see, he began collecting computer stuff
(software, hardware, manuals) in 1975 when he was in high
school. What started as a hobby soon became a single-
minded pursuit. By 1989, he had 20,000+ pieces of
commercial software, 60+ complete computer systems,
hundreds of peripherals, 5000+ books and manuals that
represented 3000+ corporations. At a time when many
companies were not even saving one original copy of their
software and museums told him software had no historical
significance, he persisted. His reasoning was: 'Where
would computers be without software'?
"Stephen founded the non-profit organization, the
Computer History Institute for the Preservation of
Software (C.H.I.P.S.) in 1989. His dream was to
permanently locate his collection where it could serve as
a museum, an educational tool and an archive for scholarly
research. Fundraising was not his forte (too shy, I
think), however he maintained his passion for the idea and
the collection grew. As far I as know, he was the world's
first software historian."
===============
End of excerpt
((((CHIPS is apparently in a rather sad state. The founder
died and his sister is trying to raise money to keep it
going and find a home for the collection.)))
Stefan Jones
Dead
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