| SvennoJ said: Archiving / preservation is a lot different than offering up freely playable versions. Offering up enhanced / improved versions is even further removed from archiving and preservation. |
But of course, anyone can see that and copyright isn't permanent either like others would imply ...
Offering 'enhanced' versions is very much a part of preservation even if the information isn't a perfect copy ... (Just because it isn't a 1:1 exact match doesn't mean that the important details aren't preserved. 
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| SvennoJ said: For archiving / preservation you only need to make an exact copy of the data to store next to the cartridge on renewable storage in case it fails over time. No need to play it. To preserve the hardware, build schematics are the best bet in case the actual hardware gives out. Exact 1:1 emulation no matter how shitty it runs is also a good way to preserve the original experience. However most of the emulators are not interested in exact emulation or preserving the original experience. |
Easier said than done when corporations don't want to share trade secrets so in the end preservation of content is best left up to an open community instead ...
And not being able to play the said content defeats purpose creating storage mediums in the first place since information can only be valued when it can be either exchanged or transferred ...
| SvennoJ said: The ultimate goal of most of the existing emulators is to play the old games, not to preserve them nor preserve the original experience. It's just an excuse people use to feel better about illegally downloading roms. *snip* |
Is playing old games not preservation ? Emulation is only a means to an end ...
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