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Ligue des Bibliothèques Europeènnes de Recherche, Groupe des Cartothécaires de LIBER
TRANSLATE ENGLISH to Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Português, Español! Explanation
©LIBER and author
Mr. Klöti has introduced me as the killjoy of this day. Somehow I must agree with him, but please, don't think that I would discourage you - I really do not hate computers and I'm also not a frustrated operator. But experience taught me to be very mistrustful when installing peripherals or software.
Mr. Bütikofer just explained very interesting problems concerning data conservation, as they arise in big archives and libraries. My following remarks deal with two aspects: firstly with the beginning of a CD-ROM career, and then with conservation of the digital trash, when new products replace today's digital maps. Of course this will not be in great detail, but only in some selected aspects, that I often met with myself or in discussions.
Let us assume that most of you are not yet lucky owners of cartographic computer systems and that you came to this conference because you have already some experience in this matter or because you intend to introduce digital map media into your collection on a little, local base; on floppies or, in particular, on CD-ROMs. If this happens in the near future, my following remarks may help you to avoid some discouraging afternoons and evenings, when you have no PC-freak at hand, who installs everything for you.
And do not laugh too loudly, if you are already running cartographic programs on your PC - you may be assured that the next software update is bound to come. Even when the publishers promise solemnly that there will be absolutely no problem with the totally revised version, you can be sure to meet some unex- pected problems.
There is generally only one qualified exception: If you own a Macintosh, one year old or more, with integrated CD-ROM drive and adapted software approved by Macintosh, you can be happy that all components fit together and your system will work. Power Macintoshes work quite well, but too fast for most commercial programs; you really need power brakes; we are actually testing several models. But all the others will meet some problems. Therefore, in the next minutes I shall talk only about MS-DOS, IBM-compatible stand-alone systems; networks and other widespread systems are omitted.
We know that in most libraries PCs are already in use, and now software for CD- ROM installations and hardware peripherals like a CD-ROM drive are being bought. As you know, there is a route between the CD-ROM, where the maps are digitally stored, the CD-ROM drive, the cables, the host card, the CPU, the software on the hard disk, and the screen, where you should see the digital maps, as shown in the glossies of the map publishers - and everywhere along this route a hazard may happen.
Let us talk first about the PC. There are several basic needs for a PC to run complex programs such as cartographic systems. A 286-class CPU is powerful enough for most text- and data-based applications. But it runs out of snuff when you want to start programs working under Windows. Windows will work on these PCs in an enhanced mode, but you may wait minutes until the next action follows. In other words: you need at least a 386 or, better, a 486. Of course, when you want to save money, you can buy a CPU upgrade board or chips for many 286 systems, though you want to be careful about investing too much money in an old, worn-out system.
There is still another important reason for replacing your old PC which you should note, if you intend to buy a new one. You never can have enough memory and storage. Most of today s programs require a minimum of 4 Mb RAM, but for cartographic applications that are near to a multimedia level, you should realistically have 8 Mb at least, preferably more.
In any case the hard disk must be replaced if you still have a common one with 40 Mb, as they were sold until 3 or 4 years ago. Today they are absolutely insufficient. Windows alone needs up to 30 Mb to work! Most CD-ROMs load various files with 5 Mb and more additionally on your hard disk and it adds up as you install more and more CD-ROMs, updates and additions. You can get away with an 80 Mb or even a 60 Mb hard disk drive if you are dealing only with text-based applications. I recommend at least a 100 Mb hard disk, for multimedia and map applications better 160 Mb and more is better.
The next component in our chain is the monitor. Many graphical programs need a Super VGA monitor, but they generally work also with a common VGA-monitor. But it's recommended not to save money when you buy a new one: a good and wide screen, at least 17" diameter, takes care of your eyes. Spend a lot of time testing several monitors, concerning colours, sharpness and flickering sup- pression.
The link between the PC and peripherals is normally the so-called "card" inside the PC. Every stand-alone CD-ROM drive is sold with an interface card, a cable connection you have to plug in, and a software disk. Refer to your PC handbook how to install the card. It may be replaced instead, for example, by a SCSI host adapter - this will allow you to run multimedia applications. But other problems arise which we cannot discuss here.
By the way, cards are good for surprises, too. on my last adventure I intended to set a new SCSI card into a 4 year old Olivetti PC. Everything worked well - only the PC couldn't be screwed together anymore, because the card is so overfilled with ICs and transistors that it exceeds the inner space of an aged PC.
The next component is the CD-ROM drive. It is a myth that they were subjected to worldwide standards on which any CD-ROM would work on. You will have no problems when you choose an integrated CD-ROM drive, but then you get another disadvan- tage: when your PC is defective you have neither a PC nor a CD-ROM drive and vice-versa. Stand-alone CD-ROM players can be exchanged or replaced at any time.
The physical installation of a drive should not cause too many problems, even to a novice, taking not more than an hour. The major reasons for a failed installa- tion are ill-fitting interface cards, incorrect cabling, or wrongly installed software. Once installed and screwed together, you will start up the PC and get some messages on your screen. When a mistake happens, they may be one of the following two most frequent:
"INCORRECT DOS VERSION"
There is a DOS-file named MSCDEX.EXE that controls the CD-ROM drives. As CD-ROMs are relatively young peripherals, this very important but originally not preseen file has already reached many updates for fitting to DOS-versions. Each version of MS-DOS requires specific versions of MSCDEX.EXE, as you can see here. Driving with an older version than MS-DOS 5.x is practically hopeless. In any case you should update older DOS versions to DOS 5 or 6. Otherwise you will always have trouble, because actual CD-ROM applications are not intended for versions below - and always copy the latest MSCDEX.EXE version you can catch!
Versions of File MSCDEX.EXE
X = compatible - = not compatible
| DOS 5.X | DOS 6.X | |
|---|---|---|
| MSCDEX.EXE Vers. 2.23 | - | X |
| MSCDEX.EXE Vers. 2.22 | - | X |
| MSCDEX.EXE Vers. 2.21 | X | X |
"CDR 101: READ FAIL"
This is the most terrible message you ever can get, because several problems produce it. Here are the most frequent two:
First: Incorrect drive identification. Most CD-ROMs have installation software. Nevertheless it may occur that the drive's name in the CONFIG.SYS and the name in the AUTOEXEC.BAT may differ. Generally the software gives a name like CDROM001 for the CD-ROM drive. If you update your files or if you try the installation again, the installation software finds already a CDROM001 and consequently gives the next a new identification, as CDROM002. Starting up, the system finds in his CONFIG.SYS a drive 1 and in his AUTOEXEC.BAT a drive 2. Therefore: compare the names of the drive in the two files; they must be identical.
File CONFIG.SYS (sample)
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D000-D7FF
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,12240 =C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,9088 =C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,14160 =\DEV\HITACHIA.SYS /D:CDROM001/N:1/P:320
DOS=UMb
LASTDRIVE=G
BUFFERS=40,0
FILES=40
COUNTRY=041,,C:\DOS\COUNTRY.SYS
INSTALL=C:\DOS\KEYB.COM SG
STACKS=9,256
File AUTOEXEC.BAT (sample)
@ECHO OFF
LH /L:1,7792 nlsfunc
LH /L:2,32096\BIN\MSCDEX>EXE /D:CDROM001/M:8
LH /L:0;2,45984 /S C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.EXE 1024 512
LH /L:2,16832 C:\mouse\mouse.com
LH /L:2,6512 C:\DOS\DOSKEY
PROMPT $p$g
PATH C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;D:\PCTOOLS;C:\BAT
SET TEMP=C:\temp
Second: Conflict with DMA. When you install the interface card, you will see that there are still many other slots you can put in other cards. Each slot has an internal address. It may occur that your interface card is adjusted to an address already occupied. Try it again by setting your interface card into another slot; otherwise you have to consult your installation handbook how to change the default address on your card. Do not forget afterwards to check again the CONFIG.SYS and the AUTOEXEC.BAT file for identical drive names!
Finally a word about the CD-ROM disks themselves. It is also a myth that they run in standardized modes on MS- DOS, Macintosh, UNIX or hybrid systems. Most standards were set by the industry, which has been generally good about following them. Others, such as the ISO 9660 standard, have become more formalized. But be aware, the famous ISO 9660 deals only with the file system, which means the manner in which information is indexed on the disc. Do not get too enthusiastic when you put in a CD-ROM for the first time and you type the DIR command. You may get the whole filelist, but you can not run any programme, because they are not written on a compatible platform. On the other hand you may get the message "DISK IS NOT ISO 9660" and the disk runs in spite of it.
It may depend on the CD-ROM drive, too. Panasonic drives, for example, often refuse CD-ROMs that run without any problems on any other drive, only because the disks are not fitted to the Panasonic software subsystem; on the other hand I own a Philips drive that digests practically every CD-ROM, even when all the others refuse disks as not ISO 9660.
A hint: before you purchase any cartographic system on disk or floppies, read carefully the small print about the technical needs of the software. The indication "ISO 9660" or "IBM compatible" or "MS-DOS Ver. 3.0 and higher" is not enough. Whenever you see something like "Panasonic", "Sun" or other trade names of producers, you should be careful because the program may need appropriate hardware! In any case you should bargain for the right to give back the program set when it cannot run on your machines. A good dealer must guarantee for the compatibility of your PC, your CD-ROM drive and the applications and let you see how it works, directly on your own PC before you subscribe to a deal! !
Now some remarks concerning the future.
In the past the map librarian had few problems. There was only one technology available for presenting 4 information and its access tools for the library's user; maps were generally printed. The new technologies will bring many new problems because they depend on machines. You can read more and more, so that not only the good old paper, but also floppy disks and even CD-ROMs will be replaced soon by datahighways and other on-line systems like e-mail and so on.
I am not gifted with prophecy, but I dare say that not only map librarians will work on in quite conventional procedures. They will, however, be forced to observe some additional tasks. For those charged with archival collections, here are some tips on how to conserve electronic maps and systems, using PCs:
1. Always make safety copies of your programs, before you install them on your PC. Copy each floppy disk. If you have access to a WORM system, duplicate your CD-ROMs or play them on a streamer. Even if you locked the floppy-disks, it may happen in a confusion or a crash that your programs getdamaged. With a copy in a safe place, losses can be avoided. Copy your floppy disks after 5-7 years on new ones or store them on a tape (and copy this tape onto a new after one some years, too). A tip for Swiss participators; the new Swiss Copyright Law explicitly allows a safety copy of every software disk, even when the producer or publisher threatens jail and other punishments.
2. Do not trust your PC's hard disk. Even if you intend to use your most sophisticated PC for years and years, you will be required one day to refresh the hard disk for several technical reasons. It is good to know how the software and the data for your digital maps can be restored at any time. It is better to build up the original systems; backups always include all the corruptions that happen while using systems, in particular if you work with Windows.
Make (besides the above mentioned disk copies) a documentation of all software needed by the map programs, e.g. the DOS-version, the Windows version and any system platform you need for your digital maps. Do not forget to keep a safety copy of these programs.
Finally, do not throw away the handbooks of these programs after use, even if they are greasy orvery fragile.
3. The estimations of a disk's life vary extremely. Floppies are said to fall into decay after 5-10 years, aging tests claim up to 100 years. It will depend on the quality of disk, as has been proved by the CD- ROMs. Estimates vary from 5 to 30 years.
4. Take care of your CD-ROMs! Do not put labels on them for two reasons: CD-ROMs revolve at up to 30,000 r.p.m and eccentric labels may throw the disks out of balance, which causes mis-readings and damages the player; the adhesive of the labels can seep through the protection layer and damage the information surface. Do not write on the surface with a felt-tip marker; do not scratch them; store them out of direct sunlight.
5. A last tip for a not so distant future: do not forget that today's systems will be antiquated one day. When you work with an old fashioned globe, you need only your eyes and expert knowledge; in the year 2014, when you want to work with the digitized map you ordered just yesterday, you will need a machine that can read the old-fashioned disks, and a software that may convert the programs and print out the maps.
And a last, pre-nostalgic comment:
It is quite funny to put a zinc disk, recorded by Mr Edison himself, on an original "speaking machine" with an enormous bell and to listen to Caruso. You may buy the same records, digitally remastered, on audio CDs, but can you really understand (in front of your Hi-Fi tower) why our predecessors had a passion for Caruso, even if the audio quality is out of discussion?
For the same reason I recommend that curators keep at least one set of today's PC, CD-ROM drive and printer. In the for-mentioned year 2014 it will be easier to run on the original machines one of the exciting cartographic map program system we were shown - and you and your students will better be able to understand why people at a meeting in Zürich, 20 years before, were so filled up with enthusiasm when they admired so-called digital maps on giant and finger-driven grey boxes...