The end of the Living Computers museum

GeekWire reports They gave machines to Living Computers for preservation, but museum’s closure is a bitter end:

Computer enthusiasts who sold or donated vintage items to Paul Allen and Seattle’s Living Computers Museum + Labs are concerned that their contributions could be auctioned off, scattered, discarded, or lost forever with the museum’s permanent closure.

A lot of donations came from the good faith that it would not put to waste, and help preserving that slice of history. But after the passing of its benefactor, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the museum of Living Computers closed.

The museum main attraction was vintage computers in working order, that could be used and explored for historical interest. Now it is closing after 12 years. And the collection will now be scattered, and in the most billionaire way, likely auctionned, instead of giving donnors rights of first refusal to take their donation back. Pay it forward doesn’t seem to be the plan.

Even if it is not definitive, It’s sad.