Software Preservation (was: SIMTEL...)

I have a paper tape punch that does Mylar. too bad the density is so low and the cost of Mylar is so high! I too worry about preserving this type of history. I've been playing with my PDP-8 and its software, and I wonder what the oldest existing program that actually runs might be... I once worked with a 3M representative when the company I was working for was getting into CD-ROMS and CD-R's. He claimed that eventually, CD's that are factory made would suffer from moisture migration (same as a chip) unless they used a gold and not aluminum layer. He said that with the formulas available at the time (mid-90's), they thought but would not guarantee that CD-R's would last from 25-100 years if kept in a cool, dark, dry place when not used. I know for certain that the dye formulas have changed since then. Anyone else know more recent data? I own a music CD from the dawn of the CD era (mid-80's?) and it still plays perfectly (although this is no indication of data integrity). At that time, I think they cost maybe $25 and the "jewel box" was so well made you could use it to prop up a table leg! Now you look at them funny and they crack or break. --- "R. D. Davis" <rdd(a)rddavis.org> wrote: __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.yahoo.com/