History has a way of repeating itself.

I note that the BBC is covering plans to create a National Museum of computing, at Bletchley park.

I find it interesting already that Britian is talking about its contribution to computing history in the past tense. Whilst I love the this idea I really hope that we can bear in mind that before the world of business was so predominately Microsoft that the UK was a very strong player in the world of computer programming and application development. We created some great software and wrote some interesting tools and developed some great ideas, and then it all quietly fizzled away into Mp3 downloads and ripping the latests DVDs.

In talking to Rob Marris M.P for Wolverhampton South West I expressed my frustration that without the role of Open Source Software and Open Standards the ability for Britian to become a programming and science power house will be greatly diminished. The prospect that potential future generations of programmers will view the concept of software development to have gone the way of miners and milkmen is depressing and unnecessary. I have received an excellent follow up from Rob Marris and if you can get the chance to speak with him then take it. The again if you get a chance to speak to George Osbourne then grab it as well since his recent report on the benefits of FLOSS to the country is significant in its language and approach
Lets use the opportunity of the creation of this National Museum to kick start a renaissance in the interests of computing and software development. The official opening is the 12th of July and I am keen to find out if they would welcome some input during Software freedom day , or any others events for that matter.

This museum , like the science museum and many other cultural sites of special interest would make a great location to promote an awareness of Free and Open Source software but they will need our support and our interest if we are to make it happen.

Thanks for reading.