[game_preservation] Introduction

[Sean Gugler]

I am:
Sean Gugler,
+ programmer actively employed in the video game industry
+ attendee at some of the preservation sessions held at GDC
  over the last three years
+ attendee at the California Extreme exhibition of preserved
  arcade games for the last four years
+ minor contributor to MAME in its early days (CAPSlock LEDs)
+ author of the Windows port of ADT (Apple Disk Transfer) which
  enables storing Apple II disk images in PC files, via serial
  cable


My *interest* in preservation extends to all aspects.  All of them.
I'm a packrat by nature.

My potential for *contribution* covers:

1) Technology for Apple II and possibly Commodore 64 data
preservation.  For future expansion of ADT, I've analyzed
the Apple II Disk controller firmware very deeply in
preparation for a someday-release that will handle nibble
and quarter-track images, which should cover the bulk of
copy protection.  Don't know how prevalent spiral-tracking
was; a few special-case preservations may be called for.

2) Insider advocate for the importance of preserving non-published
aspects of development.  Having libraries of finished product is
likely attainable by plenty of others; but no library can reconstruct
design notes and sketches that are lost, or interviews that are never
conducted.

3) Desire to see materials discarded by game companies kept from
trash bins on the chance they may some day prove culturally useful,
perhaps after some statute of limitations expires.

Cheese,
          - Sean
--
Dispel guilt and apology; change or justify.