![[claris.webp]] --- **_Monday, November 27, 2006 _**_The Librarian of Congress, on the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, has announced the classes of works subject to the exemption from the prohibition against circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works. Persons making noninfringing uses of the following (six) classes of works will not be subject to the prohibition against circumventing access controls (17 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(1)) during the next three years._ **2.** Computer programs and video games distributed in formats that have become obsolete and that require the original media or hardware as a condition of access, when circumvention is accomplished for the purpose of preservation or archival reproduction of published digital works by a library or archive. A format shall be considered obsolete if the machine or system necessary to render perceptible a work stored in that format is no longer manufactured or is no longer reasonably available in the commercial marketplace. Try to remember the first computer you owned. It might have been a shared household computer or your very own, all I want you to do is think about that interaction. Don’t focus on one thing in particular like the physical machine or a specific title, I want you to remember the experience. We’ve become apathetic to the speed at which technology is racing forward. [Moore’s Law](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law) is a terrific reality that is completely changing the way we interact with practically everything. Average attention spans have been cut in half in the last 10 years and while every day a great new app is born, this leap-frogging creates a cheapened software experience. We are forgetting what makes great software great. Memorable technology isn’t created by fancy UIs or tons of features alone, it’s when using technology can trigger an [emotional recall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affective_memory). What makes holding an NES controller in your hands or hearing a modem connection so satisfying. That stimulus, for a brief second, transports you to moments in your past that are often pleasant and exciting. For a moment, bliss. > **A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.** > -Marcus Garvey So what am I proposing, anti-progress, rejection of change, living in the past? No, I am advocating for keeping the technology of yesterday alive. Remember what it was that made you feel the wonder, find others that feel the same way, and share the memory. People are dedicating large resources to archiving vintage* games, programs, operating systems, and hardware. Resources can be found to download millions of abandoned or forgotten software titles. Physical and online communities are available for practically any classic tech you can remember. Emulators are legally and freely available, easy to use, and a great way to spin up old operating systems to get those old games running again. Check local swap meets and user groups, online classifieds and auctions for old hardware, lightly loved systems can be had for a few dollars. Why not introduce a new generation to [Lunar Lander](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Lander_(arcade_game)) or [System 7](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_7). The Library of Congress (_17 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(1)_) passed in 2006, an amendment on copyright law essentially giving certain legal freedoms to archiving and using abandoned and out-of-date software. Technology was limited, cumbersome, and ugly but set out on a path to have an experience to trigger that emotional response. Where others see pixelated icons and 8-bit audio, we see charm and character. Subcultures were developed around these clunky pieces of code and silicon,don’t let the culture die. Remember where we came from.