Summary

This DPC Briefing Day, sponsored by Jisc, will bring together a diverse group of experts and critical thinkers on the topic of why and how to preserve software. Digital preservation has historically concerned itself with the content of information – or the data we put into or get out of software. But software is an artefact and end in itself with a purpose and value independent of data. Discussions on these issues will help inform a forthcoming DPC Technology Watch Report on ‘Preserving Software’. The day’s programme will provide attendees with a detailed understanding of both the state-of-the-art in software preservation and a glimpse of challenges yet to come.

Description

Digital preservation has historically concerned itself with information. Widespread attention to file formats and adoption of migration strategies demonstrates this concern with the content of information.

To some extent, emulation has provided an alternative approach. In comparison to migration, emulation measures integrity based not only on content but also on authentic means of access. Both approaches, however, treat software as a means to interpret and render data.

But software is an artefact and end in itself with a purpose and value independent of data.

For example, a software process or algorithm may be reused over and over with different data to test the reproducibility of research or to refine its performance. Software engineering is a creative process in its own right. Code provides a vehicle for artistic and ethical expression.

In some cases, the operation of the software is the valuable target for preservation, not the content it acts upon. Inputs to the software (the ‘information content’) exist only in the responses of the operator and the outputs, by turn, provoke operator input.

As this shows, the boundaries between information, software, and hardware are neither entirely certain nor entirely stable.

What are the implications of software for digital preservation? How do we identify the boundaries between software and data? Under what circumstances does software eclipse data as a re-usable digital asset? How might we preserve software and what can we learn from the experience?

This DPC Briefing Day, sponsored by Jisc, will bring together a diverse group of experts and critical thinkers on the topic of why and how to preserve software. Discussions will help inform a forthcoming DPC Technology Watch Report on ‘Preserving Software’. The day’s programme will provide attendees with a detailed understanding of both the state-of-the-art in software preservation and a glimpse of challenges yet to come.

Who should come?

This workshop will interest:

• Archivists, librarians, and curators who collect software or who anticipate collecting software in the future
• Digital preservation specialists and repository managers who look after digital preservation procedures and policy
• Software engineers and other specialists tasked with the development or maintenance of software
• IT professionals with a focus on digital preservation who support repositories
• Postgraduate students or early career professionals with an interest in learning more about the preservation of software

Programme

10.00 Registration, Tea, & Coffee
10.30 Introduction & Welcome
10.45 Keynote 'From Shoeboxes to Software Preservation' by Neil Chue Hong, Director of the Software Sustainability Institute

Overviews & Case Studies

11.30 Long-term Use of Software through Virtualization and the Policy and Economics of Software Decommissioning by Natasa Milic-Frayling, Founder of Intact Digital Ltd and Chair of Technology & Research Working Group at UNESCO PERSIST
11.50 Software Heritage and Advances in Research Software Preservation by Roberto Di Cosmo, Founder & CEO of Software Heritage
12.10 Q&A

12.30 Lunch

Emerging Trends

13.30 Games Preservation by James Newman, Professor and Senior Lecturer in Film, Media and Creative Computing
13.50 Emulation & Software Preservation for Reproducibility in Research by Klaus Rechert, Professor in Communication Systems at University of Freiburg
14.10 Software Preservation & Information Policy, Technology, and Copyright Law by Brandon Butler, Software Preservation Network (SPN) Law & Policy Advisor & Director of Information Policy at the University of Virginia
14.30 Comfort Break, Tea, & Coffee

15.00 Panel Discussion
15.45 Review and Next Steps
16.00 Close

Pre-requisites for attendance

Attendees do not need to be specialists in software preservation, IT, or programming to attend this briefing day. Attendees will benefit from a basic knowledge of digital content in general, how it behaves, and the over-arching challenges to preserving it.

How to register?

Places are strictly limited and should be booked in advance. Registration will close at 12:00 GMT on 30 April 2019 and early booking is recommended as we expect this event will be popular. Registration is free and open to everyone.

There is a limit of 3 places per institution and these will be available on a 'first come, first served' basis. Additional registrations will be accepted but will be placed on the wait list until registration closes a week before the event, at which time they will be distributed equally. If you have any questions about registration please contact Sarah Middleton (sarah.middleton[at]dpconline.org).

Cancellation

Briefing days usually fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended. Cancellations will be accepted until 12:00 GMT on 30 April 2019, a 'no show' fee of £275 will be charged for those who cancel after this time.

Can't make it in person?

Parts of this event will be broadcast live on the day and recordings shared on the DPC website.

Follow the event on Twitter using #dpc_softpres

DPC Inclusion & Diversity Policy

The DPC Community is guided by the values set out in our Strategic Plan and aims to be respectful, welcoming, inclusive and transparent. It encourages diversity in all its forms and is committed to being accessible to everyone who wishes to engage with the topic of digital preservation. The DPC asks all those who are part of this community and/or attending a DPC event be positive, accepting, and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others in alignment with our DPC Inclusion & Diversity Policy.