Wayne Stallwood wrote:
Not completely Linux related...but I am posting to the main list because it is a suggested meet.
I have just spent a lovely Sunday at Bletchley Park....It truly was a wonderful day out with plenty of exhibits (not all computer related) and a fantastic guided tour (that sadly was cut slightly short because of a seasonal downpour)
Highlights for me were seeing an almost completely operational Colossus...complete with a chat with the chap who is rebuilding it. and a small but wonderful vintage computing exhibit (the highlight of this being that you are free to play with the running machines) those two things were worth the £10 entry price alone...but there is plenty more to see and the tour gives a very complete picture of how Bletchley discovered how to crack the German codes.
Ten English Pounds!!! I went oooh years ago and I think it was about two pound fifty ... but yes, very very good then and would definitly be up for another trip even at that price.
The vintage computing exhibit rocks - they have mechanical punch card sorters, mainframes, reel readers and so on all the way through to games machines. I suspect before long the curators will turn it into a 'dont touch that - we want to keep it preserved for other people to play with'...
I must say my highlight was the reconstructed bombes (which where polish in origin), and I beleive that they work but they don't have them turned on. They also have them in the 'hut' which is quite neat.
I thought it would be an excellent day out for ALUG'ers (I am thinking more towards the end of Spring or Summer as I'd like a gap between this visit and the next and we get the chance of more predictable weather....I am happy to help organise this later in the year if it is of interest.
Its also quite easy to get to, i mean quite a drive from north norfolk, but certainly there and back in a day no problems. When I was there I don't think there was much in the way of food prevision (ie it was a bring a packed lunch) but certainly worth while.
Can I suggest an Engima viewing session before hand?
JT