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

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"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."

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((((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