Re: Apple II Software Preservation Project

[Bill North <north@spso.gsfc.nasa.gov>]

In article <rdippold.771884639@happy> Ron, rdippold@qualcomm.com writes:

>copyright mess indeed.  Rather, once we have it on CD-ROM it should
>last "forever", and I want to distribute a few copies to a few key
>places in case something happens to the original (recognizing that

So, you're not going to make "real" mass produced CD, but will
use a "on-off" or "write-once" device to make six or so? Neat toy.
I have heard that the one-off CDs are not as durable as the real thing.

>Basically, my goal, which is admittedly somewhat irrational (many
>hobbies tend to be) is to preserve all possible Apple II software for
>purposes known and as yet unknown.  Who would have thought 7 years ago
>that it would be so hard to find the classics even in 1994?  Things
>happen very fast.

I like admittedly somewhat irrational goals :)

But this brings up a larger issue: Why can't anyone free up those
old programs that have no apparent commercial value left? The
companies can't be bothered? The copyright holder can't be
identified or found? (Do the copyright laws have a salvage clause? :)

Genie's Lost Classics project seems to be losing headway.
The Phoenix project has a different focus.
Big Red is disappearing.
Resource Central is ???.
Is anyone still actively pursuing this?

Can we get this stuff not just preserved, but released?
(With source code is even better :)
Do we have to wait for the copyright to expire, and hope
it isn't renewed?

/*  Bill North -- north@spso.gsfc.nasa.gov  */