[SCC_Active_Members] Re: Obsolete media

[Courtney, Lee]

> The real problem that I 
> have is too much media to read, and too little time to do it myself.

Al, the right solution is what you articulated yesterday in the SPG -
using volunteers to help process the Collection.

As I mentioned in an earlier email I'd like to start a prototype effort
around the SDS software. First Paula and I are going to work thru Ed
Bryan's donation of his SDS/XDS/Honeywell work papers. After that is
done, lets do the SDS software. I am happy to write up a Project Plan as
requested in your earlier email. And having facilitated the donation,
and having some domain knowledge in this area I'm motivated to see that
it is done.

Its always good to model successful endeavors when starting a new
project. In attacking this problem (using volunteers to process the
Software Collection) I'd suggest we look at what Allison has done with
cataloging the overall Collection, Project CRAMP, and training
volunteers to work with artifacts. I think everyone would agree that has
been *highly* successful. We have a training process established, have
trained volunteers to work with Artifacts per standard well defined
processes, and she has been able to recruit and develop several stellar
volunteers that can process items for CRAMP on their own. 

I see no reason we cannot replicate that model with the Software
Collection. That will let us "clone" you and increase our bandwidth to
handle the work we need to do. As you say we're never going to make a
dent if everything has to go thru you. I would love to help you as I did
with Allison. This is a great opportunity realize the objective you
stated yesterday of "making the Software Collection available to
everyone." 

[Note: different problem handling the mass of software outside the
Museum. As we discussed yesterday in the SPG meeting Len has some good
ideas on how to crack that nut. But essentially that will be done by
volunteers also. Just maybe not ones formally associated with the
Museum.]

First step? Lets talk (tomorrow when we're at HP?). And if anyone should
have a suggestion drop me or Al an email.

Cheers,

Lee Courtney
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: scc_active-bounces at mail.computerhistory.org 
> [mailto:scc_active-bounces at mail.computerhistory.org] On 
> Behalf Of Al Kossow
> Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:53 AM
> Cc: 'SCC at CHM'
> Subject: [SCC_Active_Members] Re: Obsolete media
> 
> H.M. Gladney wrote:
> 
> > For a different class of data than that of most concern to CHM, the 
> > BBC has for about three years been engaged in converting ALL their 
> > radio/television archival material from existing media 
> (mostly analog) 
> > to digital.  They surely have some pertinent expertise, and 
> I expect 
> > them to be willing to consult.
> 
> Probably not necessary. I have several decades of data 
> recovery experience, and am familiar with most of the common 
> problems recovering magnetic data. The real problem that I 
> have is too much media to read, and too little time to do it myself.
> 
> 
> 
> 
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