[vcf-midatlantic] Old Video Game Advertisements - VCF Exhibiting

[Alexander Pierson]

 Yeah, well I'll just make my *own* exhibit!  With blackjack!  And hookers!


Seriously though, how do you strike that balance between getting
attention vs. framing a complete and factual picture of the subject in
an exhibit?  You can provide a novel experience by way of something
they've never interacted with before (paper tape, new gadgets for old
kit, freshly made software, a type of terminal graphics that stand
out). Or perchance a familiar/nostalgic experience "I used one of
these at a job I had X many years back",  "I don't know this machine,
but it runs BASIC, I wonder what I can get it to do?", that sort of
thing.  If you present something completely unfamiliar, you have to
give visitors something to relate to, otherwise they'll keep walking.
Run a video game, suddenly it becomes relatable to a larger audience,
and there's your hook to give them the context.


Because these experiences don't exist in a vacuum, they're part of a
larger tapestry of history we're trying to share with a mixed audience
of newcomers and established hobbyists alike.  It's funny how some of
the more common machines get so little love from the crowd when given
a properly framed exhibit of a computer in its element.  Whereas other
times, just seeing a base machine that folks recognize but never see
in person attracts attention like they were giving away free donuts.
Still, even if one feels like the exhibit concept they want to bring
won't draw a crowd, it saddens me to hear when someone is dissuaded
from exhibiting because either staff or general attendees made them
feel like they shouldn't do something perfectly acceptable, or that
they were doing it wrong.  And I'm not talking about the blatantly
off-topic exhibit subjects.  I'm talking about giving folks the
opportunity to try exhibiting something in a new way and possibly even
fail at that task, because sometimes that's how it goes.


Anyway, it's your VCF, so you might as well actively shape it in a
positive direction.


-Alexander 'Z' Pierson
    On Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 09:19:29 AM EDT, Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:  
 
 Agreed. Anyone who feels the need to offer negative criticism is invited to
do their own exhibit and show everyone how clever they are.

On Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 7:52 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

> I agree, but as part of the community don't crap on other peoples displays.
>
> If you don't like it, move along. There are many others there you might
> like.
>
> If you think something is inaccurate or maybe they could use more
> information to enhance it. That's fine.
>
> There is a difference between constructive criticism and plain
> crapping on someone''s hard work.
>
> Agreed?
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 4:45 PM Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic
> <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> >  Exhibiting is about sharing what YOU love and what YOU want to show
> off.  If you're lucky, someone will enjoy it.  If you're even luckier,
> you'll spark a new interest for someone.  There should never be any sort of
> "peer pressure" or anything even remotely like it in this environment.
> >
>