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Council members respond to one-week transit challenge Travis Paterson News Staff
Obsolete technology finds a new generation of fans at UVic library Computer lab of 1980s on display at Idea Fest Travis Paterson News Staff
On the bottom floor of the McPherson Library is a room of 1980s era desktop computers. Upon boot up the monitors flicker with the yellow and green fonts. Remember inserting a disk to boot the computer? And then another to boot a program?
Welcome to the Obsolete Computing and Media Lab. Yes, there is a Commodore 64, an Apple II (it’s a IIE, not a GS, but hey, you can’t expect the moon) and even an Atari. The lab is open to the public for a rare opportunity during UVic Libraries Idea Fest family open house called Class of 2030: Your UVic Library of the Future. It runs Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the main lobby of McPherson Library (they’ll direct you to the lab of obsolescence). In all, there are several interactive stations for kids and adults alike to enjoy, such as bookmaking by hand,
a tech petting zoo (think virtual reality goggles and fun digital gadgets driven by the Raspberry Pi operating system). There are 3-D printing demos, all-ages storytimes with our friends from the Greater Victoria Public Library (10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.). Thunder, the UVic’s Vikes mascot, will be on hand for photos. And everything is free. “It’s the second year hosting the family open house during Idea Fest and we’ve expanded it greatly as it was quite popular last year,” said education librarian Pia Russell, who is coordinating the event. Continued A7
Remember when Victoria Coun. Sharmarke Dubow challenged local politicians, including the regional transit commission, to take the bus for one week straight? It was back on Nov. 5 and not many local politicians went to social media to take up the challenge. Or if they did, they didn’t report back to Dubow. “I’m not sure who completed it but I know [Colwood Mayor Rob Martin] had accepted the challenge,” Dubow said. Dubow hoped taking the bus would give councillors the opportunity to have conversations with fellow commuters and frontline workers, and to lead by example. “It’s local government who make decisions on bus lanes and bus shelters, so for them it is a good idea to really experience it,” Dubow said. “If you’re making a decision about buses, you better get on the bus, then it gives you an idea of what you’re voting on.” Oak Bay Coun. Andrew Appleton not S en i o r s S only accepted the ave challenge but also off completed it. FebYo u r p urchase ev ruary marked a deery Wednesday of every mFirst cade that Appleton onth. *Some has ridden his bike exceptions year-round from his apply. see in stor home near Winde for details sor and Monterey. * LIVE W He interrupted the ELL W ITH bike commute to ride the bus, using For Ev EARN different routes – Your FamilyerNyteehing You & POINTS d to Live W ell & SAVE! though it did take 25 0 -598 -338 0 • him longer than 22 0 0 Oa o k B ay Av wa wkwb.oaaykb pa enue hyp arm harm a sa one week as he asa ve ve.c.coom m was out of town.
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John Durno, a UVic library technologist and part-time digital archaeologist, in one of his favourite places, the Obsolete Computing and Media lab. The lab is open to the public for a rare opportunity during UVic Libraries Idea Fest family open house, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
“It took longer than five straight days, but I did it,” Appleton said. “I thought it was a great idea by Sharmarke to put it out there, as it behooves any elected official to know their active transit system and even though I ride my bike, which is sustainable, I don’t have a lot of experience with BC Transit.” Appleton, a biologist, works in a provincial building in the Selkirk village. He tried a few options including adding one with a connection. “I took the No. 2 from the village and transferred to the No. 11. And I did learn something. I missed the connection. It took a while.” The best route for Appleton was the No. 8 which left Oak Bay Avenue and stopped right beside Selkirk at Gorge and Jutland. Mayor Kevin Murdoch also took up the challenge but not for a whole week as he had no need to bus each day. “I took it down to meetings downtown, otherwise I pretty much ride my bike locally,” Murdoch said. Continued A7