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[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Mon, 23 May 2005, Tim Riker wrote:

> Dwight K. Elvey wrote:
> >>From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf at siconic.com>
> >>That's not the definition of an "archive".  You're thinking of a library.
> >
> >  I've been trying to explain the difference between an archive
> > and distribution of data. So far, they just don't get it.
>
> Sure, I get it. A Library is an Archive that is Useful. =)

An archive is meant for the preservation of artifacts and information.
The materials it contains are permanent, and usually older or outdated.
A library is much more ephemeral.  Its contents constantly rotate,
migrate, and dissipate, and regnerate; it changes over time.  An archive
does not: it just keeps accumulating materials and rarely (if ever)
deletes content.

An archive is as useful as a library.  However, an archive is more likely
to provide historic materials, whereas a library contains more current
information for study.

This is the difference.

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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