Technical Preservation Methodology

A Technical Preservation Methodology is a conservation framework that encompasses strategies and techniques for maintaining, restoring, and preserving technological artifacts and digital heritage.

• AKA: Technology Preservation Framework, Digital Preservation Methodology, Hardware Conservation Methodology, Technical Heritage Preservation.
• Context:
  • It can typically involve Artifact Assessment through condition evaluation.
  • It can typically require Documentation Creation using technical specifications.
  • It can often employ Preservation Planning via conservation strategy.
  • It can often utilize Restoration Techniques through repair procedures.
  • It can support Functional Preservation using operational maintenance.
  • It can enable Knowledge Transfer via technical documentation.
  • It can facilitate Future Access through emulation strategy.
  • It can range from being a Physical Technical Preservation Methodology to being a Digital Technical Preservation Methodology, depending on its artifact type.
  • It can range from being a Static Technical Preservation Methodology to being a Dynamic Technical Preservation Methodology, depending on its preservation goal.
  • It can range from being a Minimal Technical Preservation Methodology to being a Comprehensive Technical Preservation Methodology, depending on its intervention level.
  • It can range from being a Short-Term Technical Preservation Methodology to being a Long-Term Technical Preservation Methodology, depending on its time horizon.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Hardware Preservation Methodologies, such as:
    • Vintage Computer Restoration Process - computer system preservation.
    • Arcade Machine Restoration - gaming hardware preservation.
    • Mainframe Preservation - enterprise system conservation.
  • Software Preservation Methodologies, such as:
    • Source Code Archival - code preservation.
    • Emulation Development - runtime preservation.
    • Digital Format Migration - data preservation.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • System Disposal Methodology, which destroys rather than preserves.
  • Technology Upgrade Methodology, which replaces rather than maintains.
  • Digital Rights Management, which restricts rather than preserves.
• See: Conservation Framework, Vintage Computer Restoration Process, Digital Preservation, Technical Documentation, Hardware Conservation, Museum Studies, Dave Plummer, Retrocomputing.

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