20 Mar
2007
20 Mar
'07
11:14 a.m.
From: "Billy Pettit" <Billy.Pettit at wdc.com>
Hex Star wrote:
I disagree with both parties here. I don't think the "purpose of the
archive" is any one thing. The archive is there to serve a variety
of purposes. Maybe I need a manual to fix some vintage hardware.
Maybe I'm doing a Master's thesis comparing various computer systems
of old. Maybe I'm just curious. Maybe I'm young and believe I'm
immortal and can single-handedly (or with the help of other like-minded
youth) archive the data for all time. I don't see that as important,
or even in the purvue of the archivist. (Just like I don't see it as
in the purvue of music associations which purpose I originally bought
my music and DVDs for.)
Now, there are separate issues about curtesy to the archivists, etc.,
which do affect other people, and thus deserve consideration.
Vince
Isn't the idea of doing that such that it will get downloaded by
others and thus preserved? But then with all the limitations these people
put on downloaders this purpose no longer exists which essentially makes
the
archive useless.
No, that is NOT the purpose of an archive.
You miss the point that the purpose of an archive is to download a piece
of
software or a manual that you need. No everyone wants to accumulate
massive
files that they don't use.
So the limitations DO NOT make an archive useless to someone who actually
uses the information.
The limitations only affect the mass accumulators, who really don't use
the
information - they are not users of an archive but rather data farmers.