Don's archive

[Randy McLaughlin]

From: "Jay West" <jwest at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2005 9:41 PM


<snip>
> With regards to starting an S100/CPM repository... well... someone should
> really look at all the Heathkit stuff I got. There's a room full of CPM
> stuff, including several cases (case being about 1.5 foot by 3 foot) of 8"
> floppies, cases of 5.25 hard sector floppies, and pretty much every piece 
> of
> software and newsletter ever released for the heathkit CPM boxes. I do not
> have time to do that. But, I strongly suspect what I have would be a good
> start on a CPM archive.
>
> And of course, the ClassicCmp server exists not only to run the mailing
> list, but to house documentation and software for vintage systems. There's
> quite a few vintage software repositories on the ClassicCmp server (the
> newest one is the TRS-80 archives) including the swtpc archives,
> retroarchive, rainbow archives, bygone, and of course, a full mirror of 
> the
> #1 classic site - bitsavers.org. I believe there's about 70gb free on the
> server archive drives (and enough money in the kitty still from donations 
> to
> add more disk if need be), so if a CPM/S100 repository is started, feel 
> free
> to host it there. The ClassicCmp server is well connected and well cared 
> for
> so it's a safe spot. Simply put, I'm offering to host a CPM/S100 archive
> "Don's, or a new one", at no charge, forever.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Jay West

Hopefully Don's DynaSig archive will be rescued one day, until then it is 
best to get started building a new archive.  Jay are you interested in 
archiving more than just CP/M?  I have material on CP/M, CDOS, NorthStar 
(DOS, CP/M, TurboDOS, and UCSD psystem), and other psystem files.

I have a small collection of disk images I would be happy to donate.  I have 
a few giga-bytes of space that can hold a mirror.  Compressed each boot disk 
image will probably be less than 80K each.

It was pointed out that teledisk image format is an undocumented proprietary 
format.  While this is true I know of nothing else to replace it with.  I 
know that a few people are working on replacements.  Until then it might be 
best to package the boot disks into an archive containing a teledisk image, 
a straight sector dump, and an archive of the files contained on the disk.

The software that Dave Dunfield is working on is happy with straight sector 
dumps and having access to the files is handy.

Some companies still exist and technically may hold copyrights on some of 
the files.  Some originally put their material in the public domain.  I have 
yet to contact a copyright holder that doesn't allow posting their classic 
material (docs & software).  Some want to give websites permission on case 
at a time (specifically Alpha-Micro).

Gaby Chaudry and I have been in contact with Cromemco and they are happy to 
have their material archived.

One group I am a member of are dealing with the Regents of UCSD, because of 
these talks UCSD is now posting on one of their sites the source code to 
some of the psystem.  I am unsure if it is OK to post on other websites but 
the general consensus is that it was developed with public funds in a public 
school.  Right now I have most of I.4 and I.5 sources and I am waiting for 
one member to send me printouts of version II source to scan and post.  I 
have binaries for a variety of computers.


Jay be happy to either download what is posted on my website and re-post it 
(this applies to anyone interested) or I'll be happy to send it to you as 
you want it.


Randy
www.s100-manuals.com