Categorization and description was RE: Collection policy was

From: Vintage Computer Festival <vcf_at_siconic.com>
Date: Sat May 31 11:39:00 2003

On Fri, 30 May 2003, Tony Duell wrote:

> > How would you categorize and describe classic computer items? Is there
> > an accepted descriptive benchmark in the collectors discipline?
>
> I think I'd it at the 'option' level. For example :
>
> PDP-9 processor with xxx DECtape controller and TU56 DECtape, xxxx serial
> interface, ...
>
> I'd give the version of any options where it really makes a big
> difference (such as the fact that the PDP11/45 processor had many changes
> and S/N 2000)

I would be more inclined to separately identify each major component of
the overall system. So with the above, I'd have:

PDP-9 processor -> Hardware:Computer/Processor:Mainframe

DECtape controller -> Hardware:Board:Adapter Card/Logic Module:Other*

TU56 DECtape -> Hardware:Peripheral:I/O:Drive:Tape Drive:Reel-to-Reel

* I don't have a special category for PDP-9 modules

Now, if all of these came in as one artifact, they would all be grouped
together under a "parent" entry in the database, linking to each
sub-record.

-- 
Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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Received on Sat May 31 2003 - 11:39:00 BST

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