19 Mar
2007
19 Mar
'07
1:01 p.m.
Dave Dunfield wrote:
Hi Chuck,
I think this is a separate issue, what to do to protect the physical
artifacts in our various collections - In this sense, diskettes are
no different than computers, S-100 cards or any other physical thing
that you consider valuable/important enough to want to insure it's
survival bayond your own ability to care for it. Each of us must put
in place whatever arrangements we feel are appropriate.
[snip]
Physical artifacts are a topic for another discussion. I would
suggest that at the very least we place the following information
somewhere where it will be available to anyone with the unfortunate
task of having to clean our our basements:
- And indication that the material is important and should not be
contributed to landfill. (If you have valuable items in your
collection, I assume you would identify those for your estate).
- Names and contact information of knowlegable people who can help
in it's disposition. If nothing else, information about how to
contact this list.
Regards,
Dave
Sorry Dave, but I disagree with you; at least in my personal case. I'm
retiring in 3 months and my number one object is to clean out the garage.
When I die, my family has no interest and will ship it all to a land fill
unless there is something specific they know is promised to someone.
So my top priority is not to copy the files and get them to an archive. Top
priority is to physically ship them to someone who gives a damn. I've been
giving Al bits and pieces, but by the end of this year, I'm talking truck
loads - more than he can absorb. Some of it will go to eBay just because of
the value of it - with no income, money is more precious. I've promised Al
I would sell nothing until he can scan it. But rarer items go to the
auction block. I've no choice; the money will be needed.
Software is tougher. If it was common, I've already thrown most of it away.
But there are still piles and boxes of floppies and CDs. If Al wants them,
they are his. I'll put a notice on this list and give the rest away if they
are wanted. If not, they go to the dump. I'm not going to bother to sort
and list hundreds of floppies.
So I'm doing part of what you mentioned. But with thousands of items, it's
not possible to make a detailed list. The more valuable items are
identified. But the rest goes as land fill unless I do something ahead of
time. Hence being my top priority.
You youngsters don't have to face this for a while. But I've seen too many
book collections lost or destroyed. Lingering or putting off these
decisions usually result in total loss of the collection.
A bitch isn't it? Save items 40-50 years; then have to get rid of to see
that they maintain some overall usefulness.
Billy