12 Aug
2004
12 Aug
'04
10:16 a.m.
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004, Cini, Richard wrote:
How would one actually go about re-generating an
original media from
the metafile? Do we contemplate connecting some future computer's I/O port
to a 34-pin ribbon cable connected to a 1980's vintage floppy drive? At some
point in this process we're going to have to make some detailed assumptions
on how the metadata will be used 50 or 100 years from now.
We can't really guess what people are going to do with the archives 50 or
100 years from now. We can only preserve the data to the best of our
ability and as completely as possible, since if we don't, the data will
simply disappear. It's better for them to have SOMETHING rather than
nothing at all.
This would require us to not only compile the general
media format
data but also data on the controller used to generate the media (chip specs,
data gleaned from examining the "format" programs used, etc.).
That is something to definitely consider for the implementation phase.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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