12 Aug
2012
12 Aug
'12
10:14 a.m.
The problem is that the document does not take the
effects of leaving it idle into account.
That specific document*, yes - but I am sure with a bit more Google
you can find studies concerning semiconductor shelf life as well.
(find it yourselves)
How else are you to compare the effects of running the
machine vs. leaving it off
Well, having a machine that was taken from active service and then
placed in a museum would probably be a pretty good control subject.
There, you get the history of a machine, with a portion where it is in
everyday active service, then a clear demarcation where that active
service stops.
If nothing else, the machine still has mechanical
parts. When not run, these parts seize and corrode.
Part of the art and science of conservation deals with this. And in a
proper museum environment, corrosion is very much slowed down.
That I think is a matter of debate. A reboot can undo
many changes. It remains to be seen the effects on the hardware in their totality.
Historic fabric can not be mended.
I'm not hating them.
Not you, but many on this list are.
I think both approaches are important. My main point is
that this isn't an easy question to answer. Mistakes are going to be made, it's an
impossibility to avoid them. We have more than a century of conserving ancient artifacts
under our belts, and we're still learning how best to preserve them - computers are no
different.
I also think that both approaches are good. But the idea is to
actually TAKE both approaches, and value them.
I just think that we can't afford to cut ourselves
off from the software component of a system. Emulators are helpful, but emulators have to
come from somewhere. They come from studying running machines, not static displays.
Well, given time, I think there will be a decent emulator for almost
every significant computer system out there. SimH, dtCyber, MAME, and
the list goes on...
* Remember, this is just the first document I grabbed, in order to
fulfill the hungry. I did it to point out that the information is out
there and easy to find. I can not say if it is a great document to
show or not.
--
Will