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The Material of the Digital

The Material of the Digital talk that I gave at the Oxford Internet Institute is now up on their webcast. The talk looks at the development of the new computing gallery at the Science Museum and the need to display the material culture of computing alongside the ephemeral world of software and applications. If you have any thoughts of displays of computing culture in museums and galleries you can add them to the comments part of Bill Dutton's blog.

BBC Micro computer event at the Science Museum

On January 11^th 1982, the BBC launched its Computer Literacy Project. This involved television programmes seen by millions, an array of books and courses which sold in many thousands, a national advice service supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, and – perhaps the most innovative and remarkable element – The BBC Microcomputer, designed and produced by Acorn Computers.

To celebrate the "Legacy of the BBC Micro" over 25 years on the Computer Conservation Society are holding an event on 20^th March 2008, 14.30 to 17.00, in the Fellows Room at the Science Museum. More information is available from the CCS website: http://www.computerconservationsociety.org/20080320.htm

George Oates at NMM

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Originally uploaded by TechStyle.

George Oates' talk on Tags at the National Maritime Museum on 19th April 2007 was a real joy. When you've been involved in creating something as great as Flickr its a real achievement not to come across as if you are bragging about the project, but George's presentation barely registered that she was pleased with the outcomes so far. Considered and insightful, her talk made you feel as if it must be really easy to go away and create something that simply reflects and supports human networks, yet if it were we'd all be doing it as well as Flickr.

Big Wall

The National Theatre has started its 'big wall' that showcases interviews with actors, background material to the production and contextual material for the play in the auditorium. Building on their successful Stagework, the wall brings some of the website ideas into the physical space of the theatre. At the moment it contains content around their production of Coram Boy, but as it is technically just a touch sensitive projection so there is no reason why it couldn't show a variety of production or repurpose some of the brilliant content from Stagework.

Its a great way to spend 15mins whilst waiting for the play to start. The navigation is clear and there are a range of activities - from the hobbies of hovering actors and actresses, to a music mixer and a slightly disappointing timeline. The Wall shows that institutions don't have to  do something technically cutting-edge to be innovative. They can extend their brand and offering to audiences with simple use of content.

Indian Computer Culture

Nearly two years ago I was invited to a conference in Delhi. When I escaped the lecture hall for a few hours I acted like any good Curator of Computing and got myself down to the local computer market to see if there were any good examples of computing technology adapted for and by the culture there. On the surface Nehru Place seems a far cry from Tottenham Court Road, but when you look deeper its all remarkably familiar.