Issued: 9 th May 2011
As part of the 'Museums at Night' events, the Museum of Computing in Swindon is holding a 'Bedroom Programming Challenge' on Saturday 14th May from 20:00 until midnight.
The museum will be going back to the 1980's when machines such as the Sinclair Spectrum and the Commodore 64 were deadly rivals. This was a time when anybody with a talent for programming could write cool games in their bedroom and become a millionaire. Although not promising that, visitors will be be able to write their own computer game which will be entered into an online competition. No programming experience is needed as the museums resident experts will guide people through the entire process. The museum welcomes individual or team entries, but places are limited.
Museum curator Simon Webb commented " it promises to be a fun evening, we hope to show people how far games programming has progressed and let them try it themselves. It going to be an evening to release your inner geek!"
As well as trying their hand at programming, visitors will be able to seek inspiration by playing on some of the vintage computers and games consoles on display including a Commodore 64, BBC micro, Sinclair Spectrum, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Megadrive and many more.
Age range: 8 to 80
Dress code : Pyjamas please but other nerdy evening wear is acceptable.
Admission: £6 per person which will include the staple diet of programmers everywhere, pizza and cola.
Booking is essential, anybody wishing to reserve places should email geek@museumofcomputing.org.uk
http://www.culture24.org.uk/places+to+go/museums+at+night
##Ends##
The Museum of Computing was the first dedicated computer museum in the UK, opening in 2003. It is a non-for-profit Company limited by guarantee and is run entirely by volunteers. The museum has a collection of over 3000 objects related to the history of computing and holds regular exhibitions and events.
- <*> The museum is in Swindon town centre at 6-7 Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN, at the top of Regent Street close to the new Central Library. <*> Opening times are: Fridays from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 5 pm. There is a classroom for talks, childrens computer club, adult computer classes, gaming events and school visits. <*> Admission fees are:£5.00 for a family ticket,£2 for adults,£1.50 for Students and Concessions, children age 6-15 yrs cost£1, under 5's go free. All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. We welcome school parties and private groups by appointment.
- <*> Clark Holt Commercial Solicitors ( www.clarkholt.com) <*> PC Teach ( www.pc-teach.co.uk) <*> Intel UK ( www.intel.com) <*> Silent-G Design ( www.silent-g.co.uk) <*> Alpha Galileo ( www.alphagalileo.org) <*> Dennis's Removals and Storage ( www.dennissremovals.co.uk) <*> Shepherd Consulting ( www.shepherdconsulting.co.uk)
The museum is supported by the following organisations:
- <*> Wiltshire Branch of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT ( www.@wiltshirebcs.org)
Magdalena Szalachowska
Press Officer
Mobile: +44 (0) 7894 450514
press@museumofcomputing.org.uk
For details on the event and museum contact:
Simon Webb
Curator, Museum of Computing
Mobile +44 (0)7834 375628
