IBM 5155 analogue display fault

[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Tue, 31 May 2005, Tony Duell wrote:

> > A valid point.  However, as the archivist, should you be altering the
> > object's historical fabric?  Again, I don't see a problem with this, as
>
> This is exactly my point. You _don't_ make unnecessary modifications.

It's reversible, unlike a cut solder trace, which is "reversible" but
still causes permanent destruction of the artifact.

> > long as you fully document what you've done (and perhaps why) and keep the
> > original screws with the unit (or at least properly stored and catalogued)
> > so that the machine can be returned to its "original" state if/when
> > needed.
>
> Provided the screws have not been lost, the bit of paper is still
> around/readable, etc. The 'safest' place for those screws is in the
> original holes.

What about all the notes you've made of the modifications you've effected
on various machines you own?  Are they with the machine?  Are they secured
to it so that it won't get separated?  Will the ink remain readable
forever?  Will the paper remain intact forever?  If not then wouldn't it
have been safer for you to have never made those modifications in the
first place?

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger                http://www.vintage.org

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