June 10, 2018, 10am-4pmDHSI Event: An Introduction to the Archaeology of 1980s Computing
Lead Instructor: John Durno, UVic Libraries
Abstract: Preserving and studying artifacts from earlier computing eras presents interesting challenges as technologies obsolesce. These challenges are not uniform but instead vary depending on the nature of the technological environments from which the artifacts emerged. Drawing from materials in the University of Victoria collections and further afield, this workshop will provide an introduction to strategies for working with digital artifacts created with 1980s technology. Topics to be covered include recovering content from obsolete media, working with emulated computing environments, and the challenges (and rewards) of hardware preservation. Attendees will have an opportunity to work hands-on with floppy disks, install and configure emulators, and try out a selection of period computing equipment.
About the instructors: John Durno is the Head of Library Systems at the University of Victoria, where he oversees the team responsible for computing operations and software development in the Libraries. His current research focus is in the area of digital archaeology, with a specialization in the restoration of Telidon/NAPLPS graphics. Rich McCue is the Coordinator of the Digital Scholarship Commons makerspace at the University of Victoria Libraries. Matt Huculak is Digital Scholarship Librarian at the University of Victoria.