[OT] paper on Retro ?

From: John Lawson <jpl15_at_panix.com>
Date: Thu Oct 17 20:42:00 2002

  As I have mentioned here before, based on (much) research I did while at
MGM on this very subject (35,000 titles on video tape, from 2" Ampex
4-head thru 1" Sony to 3/4" and 1/2" and also some on 1/2 helical-scan
reel to reel and into beta, digi-beta, DLT, CDROM, DVD....all needing a
uniform archival and modern retrieval scheme..) that binary data written
in many paralell micro-film-scale tracks on well-processed virgin Mylar
movie film - 35 or 70 mm - has a longevity >250 years with minimal storage
care and can be read back with simple optical devices that are easily
made. [Lamp - lens - transport - lens/aperture - photocells]

  And the storage of source code, operating systems, and translation
sortware was included in the scheme.

  But who knows? By then, I probably will be stuck in some remote corner
of Hell, having discovered that Satan is also a DEC collector, and was
just waiting for me... "...yes the machine room *is* ankle-deep in molten
sulfur - it doesn't keep BRU from running just fine.. now get to Work!!"



 Cheers

John
Received on Thu Oct 17 2002 - 20:42:00 BST