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Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall

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  Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-22 12:48 +0000
    Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Al Kossow <aek@bitsavers.org> - 2015-09-22 11:27 -0700
      Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-22 15:08 -0600
        Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall "James Harris" <james.harris.1@gmail.com> - 2015-09-22 23:16 +0100
          Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-23 13:08 +0000
        Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall John Levine <johnl@iecc.com> - 2015-09-23 01:01 +0000
          Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-22 19:39 -0600
            Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Al Kossow <aek@bitsavers.org> - 2015-09-23 06:38 -0700
              Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall John Levine <johnl@iecc.com> - 2015-09-23 16:27 +0000
            Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Hendrik Boom <hendrik@topoi.pooq.com> - 2015-10-06 00:41 +0000
              Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-10-06 19:36 -0600
                Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2015-10-06 22:47 -0400
                Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Stephen Thomas Cole <usenet@stephenthomascole.com> - 2015-10-07 03:28 +0000
                  Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-10-07 03:41 -0600
          Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall "James Harris" <james.harris.1@gmail.com> - 2015-09-23 04:03 +0100
            Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> - 2015-09-23 10:14 +0000
        Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-23 13:08 +0000
          Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-23 12:47 -0600
            Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall "Osmium" <r124c4u102@comcast.net> - 2015-09-23 14:15 -0500
              Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-23 14:17 -0600
              Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2015-09-23 21:09 +0000
                Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall John Levine <johnl@iecc.com> - 2015-09-23 22:56 +0000
                  Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-23 17:05 -0600
                Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall     wje@acm.org (Bill Evans) - 2015-09-23 15:49 -0700
                Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Greymaus <mausg@mail.com> - 2015-09-24 10:48 +0000
                Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-24 13:35 +0000
                  Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-24 10:51 -0600
                    Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2015-09-24 13:36 -0400
                      Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Louis Krupp <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> - 2015-09-24 12:06 -0600
                        Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall "Charles Richmond" <numerist@aquaporin4.com> - 2015-09-24 16:13 -0500
                      Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2015-09-24 11:36 -0700
                      Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> - 2015-09-25 12:27 +0000
                        Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Bob Eager <news0005@eager.cx> - 2015-09-25 12:57 +0000
                    Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-25 13:06 +0000
                    Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Hendrik Boom <hendrik@topoi.pooq.com> - 2015-10-06 00:45 +0000
                  Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall "Charles Richmond" <numerist@aquaporin4.com> - 2015-09-24 16:09 -0500
                  Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall Lon <lon.stowell@comcast.net> - 2015-09-27 12:00 -0600
                    Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-28 13:43 +0000
      Re: 100 boxes of computer books on the wall jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> - 2015-09-23 13:08 +0000

Page 2 of 2 — ← Prev page 1 [2]

#151808

In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
> "Louis Krupp" wrote:

> > My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
> > them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...

> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.

No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
size limit on the box?

With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
week.

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#151814

>With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>week.

Now, now.  If we were really going to be helpful, we'd figure out how
to volunteer at those museums to sort through the donations.

Museums have limited space, and most stuff that people offer isn't
worth keeping, duplicates, not interesting enough, not in the museum's
scope.  Deciding what to keep is hard.

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#151815

On Wed, 23 Sep 2015 22:56:31 +0000 (UTC), John Levine <johnl@iecc.com>
wrote:

>>With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>>week.
>
>Now, now.  If we were really going to be helpful, we'd figure out how
>to volunteer at those museums to sort through the donations.
>
>Museums have limited space, and most stuff that people offer isn't
>worth keeping, duplicates, not interesting enough, not in the museum's
>scope.  Deciding what to keep is hard.

Museums also have budget limitations.  How many of us have donated
actual cash to the Computer History Museum or the Internet Archive?

And how about the Houston Computer Museum?  I know John Keys, and I'm
pretty sure he can use whatever help he can get.

(And as far as really big boxes go, I did think of that, but
unfortunately, I can't lift really big boxes.)

Louis

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#151822

Rich <rich@example.invalid> wrote:
> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
> week.

Yeah, use a box truck, and fill 'er up.  That's the ticket.
Just make sure there are no other boxes inside it, and
you're good to go.

-- 
Bill Evans / Box 1224 / Mariposa, CA 95338 / (209)742-4720
Mail-To: wje@acm.org   -- PGP encrypted mail preferred. --
pgpkey.mariposabill.com for public key.    Key #: 8D8B521B
PGPprint: 0A9C 3545 8FFF 7501 6265 1519 40FF 76F9 8D8B 521B

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#151830

On 2015-09-23, Rich <rich@example.invalid> wrote:
> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>
>> > My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>> > them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>
>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>
> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
> size limit on the box?
>
> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
> week.
>

Once you get beyond a few books, its economic to send a palett, easily 
managed, about 4' x 4.5', height about 3-4' depending on stability,
couriers have the means and techniques to handle. (This is all UK 
standard in this area, US may be different but I doubt it)


-- 
greymaus
 .
  .
...

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#151834

Rich wrote:
> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>
>> > My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>> > them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>
>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>
> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
> size limit on the box?
>
> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
> week.
>
The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
overwhelm their setup and lose the information.

How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?

/BAH

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#151843

On 24 Sep 2015 13:35:11 GMT, jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> wrote:

>Rich wrote:
>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>
>>> > My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>> > them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>
>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>
>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>> size limit on the box?
>>
>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>> week.
>>
>The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
>handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
>overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>
>How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
>who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?

Sure.  We have a few congressmen and a couple of senators, and if they
fly to DC, they probably go through Denver, and the airport is about
an hour away.  These people got to where they are by being good at
getting out of doing things they don't want to do, and hauling a
40-pound box of old computer books is going to be high on that list.

About three years ago, I sent a 50-pound box of books Media Mail for
about $22.00.  I can do that once a week if the Smithsonian is my only
option and that's what it takes to keep them happy.  I still don't
know how many boxes total they'll want to deal with.

The hard part is going to be cataloging the contents of those 100+
boxes.  I can't even get to most of them right now;  they're stacked
up in storage behind other boxes that won't be going anywhere until
November at the earliest.

_Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager_ (1989), anyone?  92
libraries hold a copy, according to WorldCat, but how many, if asked,
would say they plan to keep one forever?  Eventually, Brigham Young
University and Trinity College and so on will figure out that nobody
has checked this out in I don't know how many years it's been since
anybody cared about OS/2, and they'll toss it...

Louis

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#151846

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015, Louis Krupp wrote:

> On 24 Sep 2015 13:35:11 GMT, jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> wrote:
>
>> Rich wrote:
>>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>>
>>>>> My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>>>> them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>>
>>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>>
>>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>>> size limit on the box?
>>>
>>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>>> week.
>>>
>> The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
>> handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
>> overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>>
>> How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
>> who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>
> Sure.  We have a few congressmen and a couple of senators, and if they
> fly to DC, they probably go through Denver, and the airport is about
> an hour away.  These people got to where they are by being good at
> getting out of doing things they don't want to do, and hauling a
> 40-pound box of old computer books is going to be high on that list.
>
> About three years ago, I sent a 50-pound box of books Media Mail for
> about $22.00.  I can do that once a week if the Smithsonian is my only
> option and that's what it takes to keep them happy.  I still don't
> know how many boxes total they'll want to deal with.
>
It adds up.  I remember very early in my life online, sending someone an 
IC they thought they needed.  I just took the IC off a scrap board, that 
cost me nothing.  But packaging it and sending it cost real money, and I 
never felt so generous after that.  Sure I'd give an IC if needed, but not 
the shipping.

> The hard part is going to be cataloging the contents of those 100+
> boxes.  I can't even get to most of them right now;  they're stacked
> up in storage behind other boxes that won't be going anywhere until
> November at the earliest.
>
> _Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager_ (1989), anyone?  92
> libraries hold a copy, according to WorldCat, but how many, if asked,
> would say they plan to keep one forever?  Eventually, Brigham Young
> University and Trinity College and so on will figure out that nobody
> has checked this out in I don't know how many years it's been since
> anybody cared about OS/2, and they'll toss it...
>
Yes, that is a worry.  Lots of libraries see themselves as catering to the 
demands of the members, so if a book hasn't seen circulation in a long 
time, it's gone.  So yes, it's important to get such books into places 
that are intended to be an archive.

I don't think I have anything special in the way of computer books, but I 
have some chunks of books that make up relatively good selections in the 
fields they cover.  And I would worry about donating them somewhere unless 
they were going to value the books and keep them as an archive.  One 
reason i buy books (at used book sales) is because I don't trust others to 
keep them.

   Michael

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#151848

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:36:21 -0400, Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca>
wrote:

<snip>
>I don't think I have anything special in the way of computer books, but I 
>have some chunks of books that make up relatively good selections in the 
>fields they cover.  And I would worry about donating them somewhere unless 
>they were going to value the books and keep them as an archive.  One 
>reason i buy books (at used book sales) is because I don't trust others to 
>keep them.

Same here.  I recently bought a copy of Robin Vowels's _ALGOL 60 and
FORTRAN IV_ online just because.  Our books are safe for now, barring
fire and flood, but what do you think is going to happen to them when
we go to that great used book store in the sky?  My relatives are all
wonderful people, of course, but asking them to know or care about
ALGOL is expecting a bit too much.

Louis

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#151871

"Louis Krupp" <lkrupp@nospam.pssw.com.invalid> wrote in message 
news:07e80bl13p6f7tangoba9q76s31mg63nfa@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:36:21 -0400, Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca>
> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>>I don't think I have anything special in the way of computer books, but I
>>have some chunks of books that make up relatively good selections in the
>>fields they cover.  And I would worry about donating them somewhere unless
>>they were going to value the books and keep them as an archive.  One
>>reason i buy books (at used book sales) is because I don't trust others to
>>keep them.
>
> Same here.  I recently bought a copy of Robin Vowels's _ALGOL 60 and
> FORTRAN IV_ online just because.  Our books are safe for now, barring
> fire and flood, but what do you think is going to happen to them when
> we go to that great used book store in the sky?  My relatives are all
> wonderful people, of course, but asking them to know or care about
> ALGOL is expecting a bit too much.
>

At least 20 years before she passed away, my grandmother would offer to give 
her children and grandchildren things she owned.  Most of it was 
knick-knacks and things.  She wanted the things to have a new "home" long 
before her time came to expire.

-- 

numerist at aquaporin4 dot com

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#151849

On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 1:35:20 PM UTC-4, Michael Black wrote:

> Yes, that is a worry.  Lots of libraries see themselves as catering to the 
> demands of the members, so if a book hasn't seen circulation in a long 
> time, it's gone.  So yes, it's important to get such books into places 
> that are intended to be an archive.

Many libraries have only finite shelf space, and in order to obtain new books, old books that aren't borrowed get tossed, regardless of their historical value.

(A neighbor was annoyed that our local library had a number of biographies on modern pop stars, but nothing on Queen Victoria.  Well, more people are interested in the Bieberboy and the Swift than in an ancient queen.)

Also, some scientific and technological books do become obsolete over time and need to be replaced.  When space is limited, there's little point in keeping a photography book that focuses on the characteristics of different films, or a computer book on programming the 1401.

Sometimes a library will sell cheaply an old obsolete book.  I picked up a great but obsolete telephone reference from a college library.



> I don't think I have anything special in the way of computer books, but I 
> have some chunks of books that make up relatively good selections in the 
> fields they cover.  And I would worry about donating them somewhere unless 
> they were going to value the books and keep them as an archive.  One 
> reason i buy books (at used book sales) is because I don't trust others to 
> keep them.


It can be hard to find an archive willing to accept old materials.  Many libraries and museums are subject to tight funding contraints and have only limited space.  Many have very limited staff and make do with volunteer labor who comes in when they are able.  Some museums get state grants, but these are the first things cut when budgets are tough.

A friend has a collection of old railroad timetables he thinks are very unique and desirable.  But they're actually very common.  So, when he asked several facilities if they'd like them, they turned him down.  He was insulted, though he shouldn't have been.  

There was a major science institution in Philadelphia that closed, and sold off its library.  Lots of poeple were outraged as apparently the library had lots of historical materials that would cease being available.

Former employees of a shuttered independent steel mill opened up a little museum on the site to remember the company and technology.  They did an excellent job, and managed to get a lot of grants.  But on a day-to-day basis, interest is rather limited, and I wonder if admission money is adequate to cover the operating costs, even if all the labor is volunteer.

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#151887

Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> wrote:
> On Thu, 24 Sep 2015, Louis Krupp wrote:
> 
>> On 24 Sep 2015 13:35:11 GMT, jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Rich wrote:
>>>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>>> My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>>>>> them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>>> 
>>>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>>> 
>>>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>>>> size limit on the box?
>>>> 
>>>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>>>> week.
>>>> 
>>> The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
>>> handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
>>> overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>>> 
>>> How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
>>> who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>> 
>> Sure.  We have a few congressmen and a couple of senators, and if they
>> fly to DC, they probably go through Denver, and the airport is about
>> an hour away.  These people got to where they are by being good at
>> getting out of doing things they don't want to do, and hauling a
>> 40-pound box of old computer books is going to be high on that list.
>> 
>> About three years ago, I sent a 50-pound box of books Media Mail for
>> about $22.00.  I can do that once a week if the Smithsonian is my only
>> option and that's what it takes to keep them happy.  I still don't
>> know how many boxes total they'll want to deal with.
>> 
> It adds up.  I remember very early in my life online, sending someone an
> IC they thought they needed.  I just took the IC off a scrap board, that
> cost me nothing.  But packaging it and sending it cost real money, and I
> never felt so generous after that.  Sure I'd give an IC if needed, but not the shipping.
> 
>> The hard part is going to be cataloging the contents of those 100+
>> boxes.  I can't even get to most of them right now;  they're stacked
>> up in storage behind other boxes that won't be going anywhere until
>> November at the earliest.
>> 
>> _Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager_ (1989), anyone?  92
>> libraries hold a copy, according to WorldCat, but how many, if asked,
>> would say they plan to keep one forever?  Eventually, Brigham Young
>> University and Trinity College and so on will figure out that nobody
>> has checked this out in I don't know how many years it's been since
>> anybody cared about OS/2, and they'll toss it...
>> 

I still have my copy.

> Yes, that is a worry.  Lots of libraries see themselves as catering to
> the demands of the members, so if a book hasn't seen circulation in a
> long time, it's gone.  So yes, it's important to get such books into
> places that are intended to be an archive.
> 
> I don't think I have anything special in the way of computer books, but I
> have some chunks of books that make up relatively good selections in the
> fields they cover.  And I would worry about donating them somewhere
> unless they were going to value the books and keep them as an archive. 
> One reason i buy books (at used book sales) is because I don't trust others to keep them.
> 
>   Michael


-- 
Pete

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#151890

On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:27:14 +0000, Peter Flass wrote:

> Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> wrote:
>> On Thu, 24 Sep 2015, Louis Krupp wrote:
>> 
>>> On 24 Sep 2015 13:35:11 GMT, jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Rich wrote:
>>>>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>>> My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start
>>>>>>> sending them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>>>> 
>>>>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they
>>>>> specify a size limit on the box?
>>>>> 
>>>>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for
>>>>> the week.
>>>>> 
>>>> The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
>>>> handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
>>>> overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>>>> 
>>>> How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter who goes
>>>> from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>>> 
>>> Sure.  We have a few congressmen and a couple of senators, and if they
>>> fly to DC, they probably go through Denver, and the airport is about
>>> an hour away.  These people got to where they are by being good at
>>> getting out of doing things they don't want to do, and hauling a
>>> 40-pound box of old computer books is going to be high on that list.
>>> 
>>> About three years ago, I sent a 50-pound box of books Media Mail for
>>> about $22.00.  I can do that once a week if the Smithsonian is my only
>>> option and that's what it takes to keep them happy.  I still don't
>>> know how many boxes total they'll want to deal with.
>>> 
>> It adds up.  I remember very early in my life online, sending someone
>> an IC they thought they needed.  I just took the IC off a scrap board,
>> that cost me nothing.  But packaging it and sending it cost real money,
>> and I never felt so generous after that.  Sure I'd give an IC if
>> needed, but not the shipping.
>> 
>>> The hard part is going to be cataloging the contents of those 100+
>>> boxes.  I can't even get to most of them right now;  they're stacked
>>> up in storage behind other boxes that won't be going anywhere until
>>> November at the earliest.
>>> 
>>> _Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager_ (1989), anyone?  92
>>> libraries hold a copy, according to WorldCat, but how many, if asked,
>>> would say they plan to keep one forever?  Eventually, Brigham Young
>>> University and Trinity College and so on will figure out that nobody
>>> has checked this out in I don't know how many years it's been since
>>> anybody cared about OS/2, and they'll toss it...
>>> 
>>> 
> I still have my copy.

I finally got rid of mine but I scanned it first.

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#151893

Louis Krupp wrote:
> On 24 Sep 2015 13:35:11 GMT, jmfbahciv <See.above@aol.com> wrote:
>
>>Rich wrote:
>>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>>
>>>> > My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>>> > them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>>
>>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>>
>>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>>> size limit on the box?
>>>
>>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>>> week.
>>>
>>The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
>>handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
>>overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>>
>>How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
>>who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>
> Sure.  We have a few congressmen and a couple of senators, and if they
> fly to DC, they probably go through Denver, and the airport is about
> an hour away.  These people got to where they are by being good at
> getting out of doing things they don't want to do, and hauling a
> 40-pound box of old computer books is going to be high on that list.

That's why I thought about making one of them do useful work :-).
>
> About three years ago, I sent a 50-pound box of books Media Mail for
> about $22.00.  I can do that once a week if the Smithsonian is my only
> option and that's what it takes to keep them happy.  I still don't
> know how many boxes total they'll want to deal with.

That's not a bad price.

>
> The hard part is going to be cataloging the contents of those 100+
> boxes.  I can't even get to most of them right now;  they're stacked
> up in storage behind other boxes that won't be going anywhere until
> November at the earliest.

Well, once you get started, the work will go fast.  You don't have
to have the entire set cataloged before starting to ship something....
right?

>
> _Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager_ (1989), anyone?  92
> libraries hold a copy, according to WorldCat, but how many, if asked,
> would say they plan to keep one forever?  Eventually, Brigham Young
> University and Trinity College and so on will figure out that nobody
> has checked this out in I don't know how many years it's been since
> anybody cared about OS/2, and they'll toss it...

I understand how knowledge can get lost.  PC (non-)thinkers are
destroying a lot of it.

/BAH

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#152284

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:51:39 -0600, Louis Krupp wrote:
..
...
> _Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager_ (1989), anyone?

I have  copy of that on a CD somewhere, I believe.

-- hendrik

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#151870

"jmfbahciv" <See.above@aol.com> wrote in message 
news:PM0005207E922860D0@aca41ef0.ipt.aol.com...
> Rich wrote:
>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>
>>> > My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>> > them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>
>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>
>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>> size limit on the box?
>>
>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>> week.
>>
> The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
> handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
> overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>
> How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
> who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>

There are companies that will deliver large storage containers to your home. 
Then the storage company will deliver the containers to a secondary 
location.  This is an option.  I am *not* recommended it... just noting it.

http://www.doortodoor.com/storage/portable-storage/


There are other companies that do this...

-- 

numerist at aquaporin4 dot com'

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#151931

On 9/24/2015 7:35, jmfbahciv wrote:
> Rich wrote:
>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>
>>>> My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>>> them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>
>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>
>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>> size limit on the box?
>>
>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>> week.
>>
> The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
> handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
> overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>
> How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
> who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>

Or, a commuter with the money to pay airline fees for boxes of books: 
e.g. a lobbyist.

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#151945

Lon wrote:
> On 9/24/2015 7:35, jmfbahciv wrote:
>> Rich wrote:
>>> In comp.misc Osmium <r124c4u102@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> "Louis Krupp" wrote:
>>>
>>>>> My contact at the Smithsonian said that if and when I start sending
>>>>> them books, I'm to send no more than one box per week...
>>>
>>>> Well there goes the truck idea, down the drain.
>>>
>>> No it doesn't, you are not thinking broadly enough.  Did they specify a
>>> size limit on the box?
>>>
>>> With one really big box, you can send them "one box" via truck for the
>>> week.
>>>
>> The goal is to preserve the knowledge.  If the Smithsonian can only
>> handle 1 box/week, sending them more will only piss them off,
>> overwhelm their setup and lose the information.
>>
>> How much does it cost to ship one box?  Is there a commuter
>> who goes from Louis' area to D.C. (e.g., Congressman)?
>>
>
> Or, a commuter with the money to pay airline fees for boxes of books:
> e.g. a lobbyist.

A congress type could use the effort to get votes.  "See?  I do
do something useful!" on pamphlets.  Lobbyists aren't paid to care about
knowledge preservation

/BAH

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#151775

Al Kossow wrote:
> On 9/22/15 5:48 AM, jmfbahciv wrote:
>
>>>>>> ISTR hearing on the radio that the Smithsonian is collecting manuals
>>>>>> so that it will have a complete catalog of old hard/software docs.
>
> Are you SURE this isn't the Library of Congress?
> I don't know of anyone at SI collecting computer manuals.
> LoC is, though.
>
I'm not sure.  I was when I wrote the post.

/BAH

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