Data formats was Re: Rescue of data from Pioneer 10 & 11 tapes atJPL needed.Vintagecomputers slated for demolition.

[Paul Koning]

>>>>> "Fred" == Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> writes:

 Fred> On Thu, 9 Jun 2005, Nico de Jong wrote:
 >> > > > > ... but I dont have the foggiest idea > > > >whether the
 >> data is "decodeable".  > The problem is if the data format is not
 >> documented.  Agreed, but we dont even _know_ what the data looks
 >> like. Therefore again: let's read a tape first to see whatswhat
 >> Nico

 Fred> I agree enthusiatically with Nico.  Although it MIGHT be
 Fred> difficult or "impossible" to "decode" the data, once the
 Fred> "indecipherable" data has been transferred to current media,
 Fred> then the whole issue of "obsolete, unobtainable hardware"
 Fred> becomes moot.

True.  Then it changes to "are hardware emulation and software
binaries available?"  The answer will vary depending on what system
was used -- for example, it would be (for hardware and OS that is) YES
for Cyber, DEC machines.  From what I've seen on this list, the answer
may not be so positive for the IBM 360 family.  (Then again, possibly
there a lot could be done with current hardware.  After all, the 360
architecture still exists, approximately.)

	     paul