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TZX Vault Unique ID

InterceptorInterceptor
edited February 2004 in MIA/STP/SDP
Hi dudes,

when the CAPS IPF format was created, there is a unique ID field within the file, as well as revision info (not that there has been any revisions yet). thus all images preserved are given an ID number

does the TZX format have any such facility? if so, i truly beleive that the TZX vault should consider using it.

why? right now the preservations are referring only by name, several games get redumped and rereleased, it would be nice to know that there is a uniqie ID for each TZX file, and a revision number used will ensure that we dont keep older (and thus incorrect) TZX files.

like it or not, the TZX vault / STP team has now taken the central responsibility of preserving spectrum games, i think you should keep an organised tab on it :)

apologies if this is already in place, i just havent seen any evidence of it (possibly my ignorance of course)

your thoughts please
Post edited by Interceptor on

Comments

  • GilbyGilby
    edited February 2004
    Just to let you now, when tapes are redumped, the older files are deleted from my computer and the retrogames server, so old out of date files are not retained.

    The newer files are uploaded onto the server and are labelled with an "Updated" icon to indicate this.

    This has been in operation for quite some time now....

    If you're worried about not having a completely up to date set of files, .tzx vault CD's are available for ?5, which also helps fund further tape purchases.

    Steve
  • GilbyGilby
    edited February 2004
    QUOTE
    "like it or not, the TZX vault / STP team has now taken the central responsibility of preserving spectrum games, i think you should keep an organised tab on it :) "

    Well, I do try to keep everything organised. The database which is maintained in the background helps, it includes a field which records the date that an entry is created / amended in the database. This field is used when inserting "New" and "Updated" icons but not used elsewhere.

    Of course, this "responsibility" has only been inherited through time because there hasn't been a .tap / .z80 update for quite some time. Sadly, there aren't enough hours in the day for Martijn ;)

    Martijn, would this be a good time to think about outsourcing this job? Maybe getting someone else on board with co-maintainer access could help clear the decks a bit?

    Steve
  • mheidemheide
    edited February 2004
    Of course, this "responsibility" has only been inherited through time because there hasn't been a .tap / .z80 update for quite some time. Sadly, there aren't enough hours in the day for Martijn ;)

    There's a nice twist on history! :)
    The STP team was formed with the express purpose of being the preservation team. It was there already when non-TZX updates were still done regularly. The fact the results are published on the TZX Vault is because I couldn't keep up with this project at the time. Some 2 years ago we decided to keep it like that and import the Vault into WoS using new automated database tooling I specifically wrote for it - the one you use for the Vault included :)

    Of course I can only confirm that there are indeed not enough hours in the day for all projects. My available time hasn't really gone down (I'm still at 30 WoS hours a week), but the amount of projects and their pace continues to increase. Can't say I'm sad about that, although indeed some projects don't progress at all anymore due to it. Unfortunately the non-TZX archiving fell victim...
    Martijn, would this be a good time to think about outsourcing this job? Maybe getting someone else on board with co-maintainer access could help clear the decks a bit?

    That might be the best solution (after all, several other projects have been outsourced as well).
  • Andrew BarkerAndrew Barker
    edited February 2004
    I guess we could make DAT files using DatUtil ?

    I do that for the SDP project releases,
    so that they will match by CRC.

    I did make a Vault DAT but only for my own auditing purposes.

    Regards

    Andy

    [ This Message was edited by: Andrew Barker on 2004-02-17 15:28 ]
  • InterceptorInterceptor
    edited February 2004
    CRC confirms the intergrity of a file, not identity, which doesnt make CRC useless for identity, but certainly not ideal, and is probably more work anyway.

    i can forward you some snippets or a large discussion on this that's been had recently...but i warn you, it's vile and hideous :)

    i'll remain convinced on my unique ID theory, but if it doesnt suit you...fair enough :)

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