I also read Herb's statement a few times. I find it very clear. And, I don't believe he's startled, although I would not pretend to speak for him. I think some of us share the sentiment that the response here seems somewhat sudden and disproportionate. I agree that procedures can always be improved, and due to the caring and tireless efforts and contributions of people like Evan, Herb, Jeff B, and many others over the years, things have improved substantially. And I beleive these efforts deserve better than a public airing of grievances from a distance that perhaps could have been better handled privately or at least within the board structure. That, I think, is the point. On Wed, Mar 21, 2018 at 11:00 PM Michael Brutman via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Hi Herb,
I read all of that a few times and I'm kind of at a loss. What is your point?
We had a case where somebody thought that what somebody else was doing was potentially risky without good cause. It's not the first time either; in the last two or three days I've heard a few similar stories.
Let's keep it plain and simple. From what I hear we have done well with volunteers. But we could do better. Taking a breather and looking at how other organizations do similar work is a good thing. We don't just want to do things; we want to do them right. People who do this at a professional level can give us some guidance. We have those contacts and we're going to use them.
Maybe it turns out we are fine, but I'm betting there is room for improvement. We're committed to finding out how good we are, and then taking additional steps if needed.
So what are you startled by?
Mike
On Wed, Mar 21, 2018 at 6:01 PM, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
The goal will be additional training for
museum volunteers on proper artifact handling and collection management. In the interim please be mindful that what has been entrusted to us might be very unusual and unique, and, quite frankly, irreplaceable.
Until we get more formal guidelines and training the goal should be to
stabilize and preserve artifacts, and not to alter them in any way unless there is an active threat to them. This includes deep cleaning, adhesive removal, major repairs, etc. Let’s acknowledge that we don't know what we don't know, and, until we know better, we should be extremely cautious.
Well, I read the statement signed by the Board of Directors of VCF Inc. It's a very careful and cautious statement, about the need to preserve our artifacts intact, and not damage them, and what we don't know about preserving them - and so let's wait for some comprehensive policy from some peer museums "who know what we don't know".
My initial reaction was to write another cautious statement, about the need to RESTORE artifacts, the 'present threat' of time that already is damaging them, about the need to recover data. About employing old-persons NOW, who worked on these machines, who won't be around "later". About others, such as private owners, who are restoring and who can use our help as we work on our own artifacts. And so on....
But that's reacting to a reaction, I decided.
I respect, that the VCF Inc. Board, has to show due diligence, and take actions in policy.
But you know - we all know each other, in vintage computing, many of us do. We know who is working on what, who has what, and where that work is going on. If not, there's the Internet.
We all know (most of us) how age is affecting equipment, and ourselves, and those who still are alive who made this stuff. "Decay" is a fact not a what-if. We know who's interested in this stuff, how they get interested, preservation is one interest, restoration another, education another, and so on. "Some of us", includes you Members of the Board; and those reading these words on this list. For the oldest of us (me), time and delay are not our friends.
We may each have our points of view - some enjoy repair, some don't. But we collectively know quite a lot, and we have ears and mouths to engage about these matters. So, let's take a deep breath, before we lecture each other like we've never met before, and don't know our ignorance.
The initial issue, was about removing paint while removing tape goo. Let's not do that - that's a good idea. Message received I believe.
But saying like, "don't touch until we create a corporate policy about preservation among our peer organizations", may make a few people "nervous", may seem a bit "reactive".
VCF Incorporated, as I've suggested, *already* has many good people doing many good things about repair and restoration, emulation, or archiving. People like to be appreciated - acknowledged - for work done and contributions made. The due diligence of the Board, may call for caution at times, or some executive decision. But the work of VCF Inc - as your statement notes - is accomplished by people who have demonstrated trust AND expertise; demonstrated by their results.
So: Consider the volunteers in hand. Have some trust, that they all won't rub the paint off the console. These are the people who will help you, the Board of Directors, in developing policies - which is what Boards do, among other things. And, they will do the work of preservation, a goal of the Board. They are your first "experts".
Others who benefit from their work, can speak up if found and asked. I get many inquiries myself, from *emulators* - those who write and support emulators, do very hard work to resurrect documents and software and hardware, to make their emulations "work". It's not my preference, but, hey ! there's more of them, than more of ME. No three-phase needed, no garage-of-racks, just a PeeCee. Some people start their vintage interest that way. (shrug)
It's reasonable to ask other institutions too. You might ask other artifact-based museums - machine tools, steam engines, antique autos. I'm *sure* they have discussions and policies about "fix/don't fix" "touch/don't touch" which would inform your Board. Their interests in legacy are no less than yours, or mine - my modest experiences suggest that to me.
And, if the Board want to discuss particular policies in this email list, or elsewhere, that's a reasonable thing. I'm a little startled by this particular context.
I hope this is a more useful response, than dueling lectures. We are, mostly, on the same side. Also, note the informed posts about removing tape adhesive.
regards, Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net