Why Interim Computer Museum?
Because all things we discover and invent in the course of our existence on this planet are for the interim. Computers, software, and even our own lives are moments in motion, never permanent. In the vast arc of the universe, everything is interim.
It is our fleeting chance to preserve, study, recollect, and share a moment in our history when we moved from simply understanding electricity, to directing current through vacuum tubes and semiconductors, then to micronizing these elements so that a powerful computer can now fit in the palm of our hand.
The Interim Computer Museum carries this name as a reminder to pause and resolve to do our best in preserving what we can. Sharing the stories of our ephemeral artifacts and our collective memory behind their creation and use, even as our solar system continues to speed through the unknown universe.
Is this the Living Computer Museum?
We are not Living Computers, but in May of 2024 the Living Computers Remote Vintage Systems were acquired and transfered to us. We immediately combined these systems with SDF.ORG's Vintage Systems under the BOOTSTRAP membership. Additionally the Software Preservation Engineering Lab was also acquired and transferred allowing us to greatly expand our library and hardware capabilities in being able to do data transfer and recovery.
We are grateful to the The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art for granting us Legacy Use of Living Computers with particular artifacts in the collection.
Is this PDPplanet? (circa 2005)
Yes, we are PDPplanet and we continue to restore and maintain vintage computer systems, particularly DEC minicomputers, and make them available for use.
How can I help?
We are community supported and rely on volunteers to assist with the day to day operations of the museum and remote access. Financial support can be made through donations and/or membership. Volunteer help with the setup, running and teardown of the Interim Computer Festival / Vintage Computer Festival PNW is also appreciated