25 year old computer file? - Page 3

HarryT · 06-06-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

For now, but that might not work in the future. Vista killed off Virtual Daemon for a few weeks, if it was no longer being developed that would have been the end of it.

I'm afraid I don't understand the point you're making. The fact that one particular virtual machine environment had an issue with a particular operating system does not invalidate my point that virtual machines are a good way to host old operating systems. In my work environment we make extensive use of VMs to test our software under a range of different operating systems; it's far easier than having to dedicate a hardware platform to each o/s.

Jack Tingle · 06-06-2010, 01:20 PM

Actually, there are two recognized archival formats for electronic documents. There is an archival version of pdf, and fb2. Yep, fb2. One of the design requirements for fb2 was that it be archival. Since the file is .xml and perfectly readable by humans (albeit not pleasantly), fb2 files are pretty much bullet-proof. Surprised me.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

HarryT · 06-06-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

Actually, there are two recognized archival formats for electronic documents.

Recognised by whom? Is there some sort of international standard as to what does or does not qualify as an archival format?

mcgriff · 06-06-2010, 09:51 PM

The practicality of maintaining old computer files presents a lot of problems for an average computer user like myself. If I really apply myself I can get things done with minimal outside help. These ventures typically make for short sleep nights or ignoring the family while I spend hours dissecting the problem.

I know myself and the demands on my time. When the time comes my ebooks become unusable that will be that.

Hellmark · 06-07-2010, 07:45 PM

Why do people assume that because a file is old, it is no longer usable or supported? I have stuff going back 25-30 years that is still usable. The only trick to the matter is to make sure it still exists on media that is supported by the machine you're using. Plus, a large chunk of the files available then were in formats that were widely supported then and now. Plain text files are still usable, most images were bmp's, etc. The only things you had to worry about is proprietary file formats, which you have the same worry with files being created now.

That is why I strip the DRM from my ebooks. ePub is an open standard that has been supported in one form or another for a while (It is basically just some HTML stuffed into a zip archive, and is very similar to the predecessor OEBZip format).

K-Thom · 06-07-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

The Digital Dark Age

It's also referred as "digital obsolescence", and it is already considered to be a substantial threat to any current information which only exists in digital form.

For eBooks the best solution is to publish them in different formats and at least one that may be altered/converted at any given time, without any barriers. Which is also a valid argument against any form of DRM.

pbarrette · 06-07-2010, 08:35 PM

C64?

Just head over to [link deleted] and download all your old favorites.

Need to get them back onto your actual C64 hardware? Just check out their FAQ. You can even convert the downloads into audio files and play them from your computer/ipod into your C64's cassette input.

Don't have a C64 laying around? Grab an emulator.

The lesson is that if the hardware / data format is popular enough to be in widespread use at any time, the chances are pretty high that you'll still be able to access it well into the future.

Moderator note: I'm afraid we've had to remove the web site URL. It contains copyrighted software which they are hosting without permission of the copyright holder, and MR's rules prohibit linking to such a site. Sorry!

windy138 · 06-09-2010, 12:48 AM

Did U have many data? There are no standards that last. I also think you have to convert your files on a steady basis. If they are non-executable files. (i.e. e-books, music, pictures) You will just have to run them thru a conversion program every so often, to keep up with the new standards. Consider it carefully

mr ploppy · 06-09-2010, 07:41 AM

Some standards last a lot longer than others. txt for text, wav for sound, tiff for pictures. A more recent standard I would add would be html, which is just txt with markups added. Keep everything in those formats and you should be ok for at least as long as it will matter to you.

06-07-2010, 08:35 PM	#37
pbarrette Member Posts: 20 Karma: 2678 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Device: ASUS EeeNote	C64? Just head over to [link deleted] and download all your old favorites. Need to get them back onto your actual C64 hardware? Just check out their FAQ. You can even convert the downloads into audio files and play them from your computer/ipod into your C64's cassette input. Don't have a C64 laying around? Grab an emulator. The lesson is that if the hardware / data format is popular enough to be in widespread use at any time, the chances are pretty high that you'll still be able to access it well into the future. Moderator note: I'm afraid we've had to remove the web site URL. It contains copyrighted software which they are hosting without permission of the copyright holder, and MR's rules prohibit linking to such a site. Sorry! Last edited by HarryT; 06-08-2010 at 06:01 AM.

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06-06-2010, 01:20 PM	#32
Jack Tingle Punctuation Fetishist Posts: 557 Karma: 1070000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Bluest Commonwealth In East America Device: Kindle PW, Nexus 7 (2013), Galaxy S5 phone, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0	Actually, there are two recognized archival formats for electronic documents. There is an archival version of pdf, and fb2. Yep, fb2. One of the design requirements for fb2 was that it be archival. Since the file is .xml and perfectly readable by humans (albeit not pleasantly), fb2 files are pretty much bullet-proof. Surprised me. Regards, Jack Tingle

06-06-2010, 09:51 PM	#34
mcgriff Member Posts: 18 Karma: 40 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ohio Device: Kindle Deux	The practicality of maintaining old computer files presents a lot of problems for an average computer user like myself. If I really apply myself I can get things done with minimal outside help. These ventures typically make for short sleep nights or ignoring the family while I spend hours dissecting the problem. I know myself and the demands on my time. When the time comes my ebooks become unusable that will be that.

06-07-2010, 07:45 PM	#35
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	Why do people assume that because a file is old, it is no longer usable or supported? I have stuff going back 25-30 years that is still usable. The only trick to the matter is to make sure it still exists on media that is supported by the machine you're using. Plus, a large chunk of the files available then were in formats that were widely supported then and now. Plain text files are still usable, most images were bmp's, etc. The only things you had to worry about is proprietary file formats, which you have the same worry with files being created now. That is why I strip the DRM from my ebooks. ePub is an open standard that has been supported in one form or another for a while (It is basically just some HTML stuffed into a zip archive, and is very similar to the predecessor OEBZip format).

06-09-2010, 12:48 AM	#38
windy138 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	Did U have many data? There are no standards that last. I also think you have to convert your files on a steady basis. If they are non-executable files. (i.e. e-books, music, pictures) You will just have to run them thru a conversion program every so often, to keep up with the new standards. Consider it carefully

06-09-2010, 07:41 AM	#39
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Some standards last a lot longer than others. txt for text, wav for sound, tiff for pictures. A more recent standard I would add would be html, which is just txt with markups added. Keep everything in those formats and you should be ok for at least as long as it will matter to you.