Software Preservation Community Forums
The purpose of the Software Preservation Community Forums is to bring together colleagues across professional and disciplinary communities to participate in an hour-long discussion on topics related to software curation, preservation and reuse.
Guides
In collaboration with strategic partners, the Software Preservation Network produces guides that empower practitioners and organizations to make informed decisions.
Survey of the Video Game Reissue Market in the United States
About the Survey Video games are part of our cultural history. But while the video game industry and cultural heritage institutions agree that video games should be preserved for both entertainment and study, there is disagreement about whether the commercial …Continue Survey of the Video Game Reissue Market in the United States
Guides, Resources
Copyright Guide for Scientific Software
About the Guide This guide covers how to make it easier for others to use your software and how to build on the software that others have written. Today, science involves software. And although many scientists understand that their work …Continue Copyright Guide for Scientific Software
Guides, Resources
A Preservationist’s Guide to the DMCA Exemption for Software Preservation, 2nd Edition
About the Guide A Joint Product of the Software Preservation Network and the Harvard Cyberlaw Clinic @ the Berkman Klein Center. Every three years the Library of Congress adopts a set of exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) …Continue A Preservationist’s Guide to the DMCA Exemption for Software Preservation, 2nd Edition
Guides, Resources
Presentations
Software Preservation Network members, affiliated project staff, and backbone staff frequently give presentations to audiences in-person and virtual, large and small. As part of a broader outreach and communication strategy, presentations are one crucial way that SPN can grow the community of practice.
Unacceptable Loss: Video Game Preservation in Libraries and Archives
Join Phil Salvador (Video Game History Foundation), Laine Nooney (NYU and Unboxing Pod) and Meredith Rose (Public Knowledge) to discuss the new report “Survey of the Video Game Reissue Market in the United States” on Tuesday, September 26th at …Continue Unacceptable Loss: Video Game Preservation in Libraries and Archives
Home, Presentations, Resources, Webinars
Towards a Universal Virtual Interactor (UVI) for Digital Objects
Presentation given at iPRES 2019
Presentations, Resources
Participatory Design for Software Preservation and Emulation Services
Presentation given at the International Conference on Digital Preservation (iPRES) 2018
Presentations, Resources
Complex Data Sets, Software Preservation, and Emulation: A distributed approach to long-term care
Presentation given at Research Data Archiving & Preservation (RDAP) Summit 2018
Presentations, Resources
Preparation and Process: Software Preservation and Emulation for Research Data
Emulation is now a practical strategy for preservation and access of software and digital objects in stewarding research data collections. A growing software preservation community is defining good/best practice and developing open source tools that utilize emulation as a central …Continue Preparation and Process: Software Preservation and Emulation for Research Data
Presentations, Resources
Building a Leadership Network Among NDSR Cohorts Panel Discussion
Building a Leadership Network Among NDSR Cohorts Panel Discussion, NDSR Symposium, Washington, D.C.
Presentations, Resources
Software Sustainability and Preservation: Implications for Long-term Access to Digital Heritage
Software Sustainability and Preservation: Implications for Long-term Access to Digital Heritage (p.294), iPRES, Bern, Switzerland
Presentations, Resources
Introduction to the Software Preservation Network
Introduction to the Software Preservation Network, Academic Preservation Trust Member Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Presentations, Resources
Impact on the University as an Information Preservation Organization
“Software Preservation Network: Impact on the University as an Information Preservation Organization“, Archival Education and Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PN.
Presentations, Resources
Investigating Emulation as a Service for Reproducible Research at Yale
Presentation given at the 2020 Librarians Building Momentum for Reproducible Research virtual conference.
Presentations, Resources
An Introduction to Emulation
Presentation at the NYU Institute for Fine Arts’ workshop “Digital Preservation: Caring for Digital Art Objects.”
Presentations, Resources
Software Curation: Intersection of Policy and Practice
Panel presentation at Maintainers III in Washington, D.C. in October 2019 featuring perspectives on the materials that have to be maintained around the software in order to make the software meaningful including: research data curation librarian, service provider, legal expert, …Continue Software Curation: Intersection of Policy and Practice
Presentations, Resources
Participatory Design for Long-term Access: User Research, Software Preservation, and Emulation
EaaSI presentation given at Open Repositories in Hamburg, Germany in June 2019
Presentations, Resources
Software Curation: An Ecosystem of Users, Tools, and Services
Panel presentation at PASIG in Mexico City, Mexico in February 2019 featuring perspectives from different niches in the software curation ecosystem including: software sustinability trainer, software preservation and emulation infrastructure providers, a disciplinary liasion, and a legal expert.
Presentations, Resources
Scaling Software Preservation & Emulation Services
EaaSI presentation at Digital Library Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2018.
Presentations, Resources
Participatory Design for Software Preservation and Emulation Services
EaaSI presentation given at International Conference on Digital Preservation (iPRES) in Boston, Massachusetts in September 2018
Presentations, Resources
Complex Data Sets, Software Preservation and Emulation: A distributed approach to long-term care
EaaSI presentation at Research Data Archiving & Preservation Summit in Chicago, Ilinois in March 2018
Presentations, Resources
Webinars
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GOSoftware Preservation and Emulation @ Stanford: A Symposium
The symposium seeks to bring together information technology professionals, archivists, curators, librarians, faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students and others willing to share their experiences and contribute their perspectives on software as critical infrastructure and ways to provide long-term access to the software-dependent output of the university. -
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EaaSI, Episode 4
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EaaSI Metadata Model and Wikidata
EaaSI, Episode 3
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Episode 3
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Why EaaSI? System Overview
EaaSI, Episode 1
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Legal and Institutional Policy Frameworks
EaaSI, Episode 2
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GOInternational Implications
Episode 7
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Beginning the Preservation Workflow
Episode 2
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Software Collection Development
Episode 2
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Software Preservation Overview
Episode 1
Reports
The Software Preservation Network working groups, affiliated projects, and governance committees produce reports that document the state of the field in different activity areas of software preservation. These reports are issued as authoritative snapshots and include recommendations for further analysis.
Supporting Software Preservation Services in Research and Memory Organizations
Abstract Supporting Software Preservation Services in Research and Memory Organizations identifies concepts, skill sets, barriers, and future directions related to software preservation work. Although definitions of “software” can vary across preservation contexts, the study found that there appears to be …Continue Supporting Software Preservation Services in Research and Memory Organizations
Reports, Resources
Section 108 and Software Collections: A User’s Guide
Abstract This user’s guide explains Section 108 of the U.S. Copyright Act in the context of software collections in libraries and archives. Like fair use, Section 108 of the U.S. Copyright Act provides important rights for libraries and archives engaged in …Continue Section 108 and Software Collections: A User’s Guide
Reports, Resources
Section 30.1 and Software Collections: A Users Guide
Abstract Like fair dealing (Section 29), Section 30.1 of the Copyright Act, known as the “Management and maintenance of collection” exception, places certain software preservation activities by libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) outside the scope of copyright. Section 30.1 is …Continue Section 30.1 and Software Collections: A Users Guide
Reports, Resources
SPN Amicus Brief Defends Fair Use in Apple v. Corellium case
On Wednesday, February 16, the Software Preservation Network filed an amicus brief in Apple v. Corellium, a pivotal copyright lawsuit currently on appeal in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Joining SPN on the brief were the Library …Continue SPN Amicus Brief Defends Fair Use in Apple v. Corellium case
Briefs/Filings, Law Posts, News, Reports, Resources
Software Metadata Recommended Format Guide (SMRF)
Abstract The Software Metadata Recommended Format Guide (SMRF) summarizes and defines the metadata elements recommended by the Software Preservation Network to describe software materials in the context of a wide range of collections. It aims to be adaptable, so that …Continue Software Metadata Recommended Format Guide (SMRF)
Reports, Resources
Google v. Oracle: Takeaways for Software Preservation, Cultural Heritage, and Fair Use Generally (2021 Reflection)
Google v. Oracle: Takeaways for Software Preservation, Cultural Heritage, and Fair Use Generally Prepared for the Software Preservation Network by Brandon Butler On April 5, 2021, the Supreme Court issued its opinion on the long-running litigation between Oracle and Google …Continue Google v. Oracle: Takeaways for Software Preservation, Cultural Heritage, and Fair Use Generally (2021 Reflection)
Law Posts, News, Reports, Resources
EaaSI Case Study #1: The Would-Be Gentleman
NOTE: EaaSI Case Studies are formatted based on the FCoP Teaching Case Study template developed by Dr. Amelia Acker and published by the Software Preservation Network in June 2020 as part of the IMLS-funded Fostering Communities of Practice project. Name …Continue EaaSI Case Study #1: The Would-Be Gentleman
Reports, Research, Resources
Google v. Oracle Oral Argument: Quick Takeaways for Software Preservation (2020)
Welcome, new readers, to the SPN website! If you’re interested in software preservation and the legal, technical, and social work required to Save Software Together, please take a look at how you can Get Involved and consider joining SPN today! …Continue Google v. Oracle Oral Argument: Quick Takeaways for Software Preservation (2020)
Law Posts, News, Reports, Resources
Fostering a Community of Practice at the University of Virginia Library: Final Report
This report summarizes the University of Virginia FCoP project, its outcomes and community building activities, and a set of next steps.
FCoP, Reports, Resources
Research Instruments: “Fostering Communities of Practice: Software Preservation and Emulation in Libraries, Archives and Museums”
The research instruments, including descriptions of data collected from this research can be found at the project’s dataverse in the Texas Data Repository: Acker, Amelia, 2020, “Fostering Communities of Practice: Software Preservation and Emulation in Libraries, Archives and Museums”, https://doi.org/10.18738/T8/U4ZJIJ, …Continue Research Instruments: “Fostering Communities of Practice: Software Preservation and Emulation in Libraries, Archives and Museums”
Reports, Research
PREPRINT Emulation Encounters: Software Preservation in Libraries, Archives, And Museums
If you’re interested in the scholarly study of emulation in digital preservation workflows or learning more about the FCOP cohort as a community of practice, you can read the preprint of “Emulation Encounters: Software Preservation in Libraries, Archives, And Museums,” …Continue PREPRINT Emulation Encounters: Software Preservation in Libraries, Archives, And Museums
FCoP, Reports, Research, Resources
Emulation Practices in Place: Coordinating Software Preservation in Libraries, Archives, and Museums
If you are an information professional currently involved in implementing or planning software preservation programs and want to learn more about implementing emulation services, check out the report from this fieldwork, “Emulation Practices in Place: Coordinating Software Preservation in Libraries, …Continue Emulation Practices in Place: Coordinating Software Preservation in Libraries, Archives, and Museums
FCoP, Reports, Research, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: January 2020
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and January 2020.
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: October 2019
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and October 2019.
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: July 2019
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and July 2019.
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: April 2019
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and April 2019.
Reports, Resources
3D/VR in the Academic Library: Emerging Trends and Practices
3D/VR Preservation: Drawing on a Common Agenda for Collective Impact Digital curation is now part of the repertoire of all computationally dependent domains, requiring mechanisms for alignment to address common digital curation challenges that are beyond the scope of any …Continue 3D/VR in the Academic Library: Emerging Trends and Practices
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: January 2019
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and January 2019.
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: October 2018
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and October 2018.
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: July 2018
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing between January 2018 and July 2018.
Reports, Resources
EaaSI Wikidata Report: April 2018
This report describes the current state of entity data in the Wikidata knowledge base for the domain of computing January, 2018 to April, 2018.
Reports, Resources
Exploring Curation-ready Software: Use Cases
The Curation Ready Software working group endeavors to develop use-case driven guidelines for improving the quality of preserved software given available resources (“curation-readiness”), including expertise, technical infrastructure, and time.The Software Preservation Network’s Curation-ready Software working group endeavors to develop use-case …Continue Exploring Curation-ready Software: Use Cases
Reports, Resources
Exploring Curation-ready Software: Improving Curation-readiness
This report is a continuation of Exploring Curation-ready Software: Use Cases by Rios et al. (2017) The Software Preservation Network’s Curation-ready Software working group endeavors to develop use-case driven guidelines for improving the quality of preserved software given available resources …Continue Exploring Curation-ready Software: Improving Curation-readiness
Reports, Resources
Templates
In every aspect of the Software Preservation Network’s activities, we strive to abstract away useful and generalizable processes that aid in localized reflection on which activities are possible and in what sequence.
FCoP Teaching Case Study Template
Name of Case Study Catchy, fun, piques the reader’s interest Open question: does it include the software/hardware emulated? Unit + Institution’s name Team or unit that lead the emulation program and the institution where the team is located. Unit members …Continue FCoP Teaching Case Study Template
FCoP, Research, Resources, Templates
In-Person Meeting Exercises
EaaSI Node Leads convened in November 2018 to review the EaaSI beta implementation process, discuss service design for emulation in local organizational contexts, prioritize project activities and review the Participation Agreement drafted in partnership with the Harvard Law School Cyberlaw …Continue In-Person Meeting Exercises
Resources, Templates
Software Collections Inventory
EaaSI Software Collections Inventory is what is sometimes referred to as a Random (or spot) inventory. Random (or spot) inventories are extremely limited in scope. They are primarily used to verify the location of a representative sampling of objects. They …Continue Software Collections Inventory
Resources, Templates
Scenarios for (Re)Use & Access
EaaSI Scenarios for Use & Access asks each Node Host to brainstorm scenarios for use and access they believe will drive the adoption of EaaSI; identify users whose use cases they believe may correspond with the scenarios for use and …Continue Scenarios for (Re)Use & Access
Resources, Templates
Semi-Structured Interviews
EaaSI Scenarios for Use & Access asks each Node Host to brainstorm scenarios for use and access they believe will drive the adoption of EaaSI; identify users whose use cases they believe may correspond with the scenarios for use and …Continue Semi-Structured Interviews
Resources, Templates
In-Person Kickoff Exercises
FCoP Project Leads assembled at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA in August 2018. The 2-day In-Person Kick-Off Meeting was an opportunity for cohort members to examine their software preservation projects through the lens of metadata, existing digital curation …Continue In-Person Kickoff Exercises
Resources, Templates
Exploring our Emulation Environment
The purpose of the “Exploring our Emulation Environment” exercise is to unpack and reflect on the range of curatorial decisionmaking required to configure an emulation environment. Participants are asked to consider metadata and technical challenges, as well as, use cases …Continue Exploring our Emulation Environment
Resources, Templates
Soup to Nuts: Simulating Software
The purpose of the Soup to Nuts exercise is to revisit your Software & Collection Inventory and Scenarios for Use & Access to determine if those software cases/examples are still the cases/examples that you want to configure and test in …Continue Soup to Nuts: Simulating Software
Resources, Templates
Prioritizing Software
This purpose of Prioritizing Software is to expose Node Hosts to National Software Reference Library software categories and their contribution to the EaaSI seed library; to provide an overview of the EaaSI software configuration workflow; and to connect the software …Continue Prioritizing Software
Resources, Templates
Prioritizing Features
This purpose of Prioritizing Features is to encourage Node Hosts to articulate and prioritize possible features for each feature category of the EaaSI system including Search/Discovery Resource Import Environment Configuration Metadata/Description User Management User Interface Network Capabilities Data Management Access …Continue Prioritizing Features
Resources, Templates
Envisioning Local Services
This purpose of the Envisioning Local Services exercise is to help your organization consider the specifics of the local service environment and create a list of short, medium and long-term goals that will help to bring software preservation and emulation …Continue Envisioning Local Services
Resources, Templates
Six Month Software Curation Plan
The purpose of this session is to develop a clearer sense of the project-specific and cohort goals over the next six months.
Resources, Templates
Scenarios for Use & Access
The purpose of the Scenarios for Use and Access exercise is to articulate potential software (re)use and access scenarios, and to inform/verify your assumptions regarding (re)use and access scenarios by observing an end user.
Resources, Templates
Baseline Cost Measurement
This purpose of the baseline cost calculator is to capture as much granular information about the costs of software preservation in different organizational contexts as possible – inlcuding start-up costs. We understand that every organization will vary in terms of …Continue Baseline Cost Measurement
Resources, Templates
Bibliography
“Software Preservation Bibliography” by Software Preservation Network’s Training & Education Working Group, January 14, 2020.
The Software Preservation Bibliography is a living, curated Zotero library of resources, tools, organizations, and research related to software preservation. Help us to expand this resource by adding a reference to the Bibliography.