Date   : Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:35:22 +0100
From   : stuart@... (stuart)
Subject: making replica acorn cards

> Alan wrote:

> I think that many of the issues here are the same as those faced in
> restoration of vintage radios too.  If it says 'Restored' then you can
> expect to find very tasteful substitution of old, unreliable, or
> unobtainable parts with modern equivalents.  You would expect it to
> look, feel and work just like it did in its hay day but it may not be
> 100% original and that's the price you pay for having it work at
> all.  

Yes, I can see how the two parallel each other. So we just mark the
system that use replica boards as "restored" not original.

> If it says 'in original condition' then you can expect exactly that.
> 
> There is no deception here.

And I guess nobody on this list would want it any other way.

> I have been pondering the same question for software too.  The Econet
> drivers for Master 512 DR DOS are for all we can tell 'digitally
> extinct'.  We, collectively, have not raised a copy of this from
> anywhere.  With an adequately archaic tool chain a new version of this
> could be written, but it wouldn't be the same thing would it?  For the
> collector no, for somebody who just wanted to muck about with some old
> files that need to be accessed that way it would be fine.

It does raise some interesting questions.
The trouble is the time during which we can make replicas is fast
running out. As others have noted some components are already past
end of life and can not be sourced. How much longer before that
becomes true the rest?

Maybe we are the last of a dying breed, trying to keep knowledge
alive in this world where such things are so disparaged.

-- 
Stuart
Microsoft - products from convicted criminals