I'll be honest. This is not really a loss. The day Paul died the museum became all about how much the old hardware was worth and not much else.
I always thought the place should be more a center for education. I wanted the place to host computer clubs at night and be community oriented. My suggestions went nowhere. Others were all about the collection, which to me is nothing but snooty nonsense. Paul was aware of my technical strengths, so I did not have to kiss it the way other people who wanted to keep their bean feed going did. Paying attention to (only the collection) was the lowest common denominator for the Machiavellians. A way to impress Paul risk free without having to worry if he would support your other ideas. The ultimate in kissing it.
When Paul was gone, 'the collectors' made short work of me. Most of my last year after Paul died was spent trying to figure out how to leave the place without being unemployed and broke. My exit was hard to engineer, but I did it. Unfortunately my success happened exactly when COVID came along, leaving me at square one without other prospects.
Computing was once a hackers delight. But how much of that old spirit was destroyed by Microsoft? Microsoft exists because the U.S. government wants to control software and maintain a technical imperialism. The IRS would not be happy with two dozen kinds of computers.
I wanted to bring computing to the people. Not just worship what is. Bring power to the people, as evidenced by my current project.
Limits to Growth Dynamo Software.
Which is a Diner exclusive. Donated by me without compensation for the few hundred hours it will take from the start to the finish of this puppy. At the end people will be able to 'do dynamics' on their own.
Hover over the upload icon on the far left. Click the default. Tool-tips will explain what happens. Click the buttons in sequence and you see the card deck evaluated. You are looking at proof of concept.
As for networking. Being a world authority on the Apple I computer, which I am, ain't worth much. The experience at the museum made me familiar with the art of electronics from glass tubes up to the modern day. Usually engineers are only familiar with the state of the art at the time they were educated which even for my ancient ass was far past the age of tubes. The museum let me learn about electronics as it was from the beginning of the twentieth century. Which along with about three bucks will buy you Starbucks a block from where the museum is.
My five years at the Museum got me my warehouse job in a heartbeat. It was good experience. I am a treasure trove of useless information.