[V8] Complications: Bentley Type 44 manual discs

[cobram at juno.com]

It's not the format, it's the ridiculously clunky anti piracy software
(which was cracked before the disks were even available for retail)
coupled to a complicated interface.  I have a bunch of Mercedes manuals
on disk, and the interface is so bad that it almost makes the disks
unusable...except for some enterprising MB enthusiasts who made a new
index and interface for most disks...one that's actually useable to
access the info on the disks.  
I have no non-pulp official Bentley release, but if it's anything like
the MB disks, where the files are in pdf format, you can select all and
print or use Adobe to make a new index.  PITA either way.

If you'd like to be my archivist, I can send you a copy of the V8Q fiche
on disk, send me your snail mail details if you want one.  If your tech
needs a more complete set covering many years and models, let me know and
I might be able to help.

The archiving you mention has been ongoing for a decade or more.  As part
of my business I supply many obsolete drives and readers to overseas
customers who need to transfer the old storage media to new storage
media.  Some old tape and optical drives fetch $1000 or more (for 1980's
technology.)  Paper is becoming a thing of the past too, with many a high
speed and wide format scanner going 24/7 to scan documents, old maps,
mechanical diagrams, elevator blueprints etc. to conform to new access
standards.  I think it's a great step forward, not just because it's good
for business, but it makes things a lot easier to access.   

BCNU,
http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/
"In my many years I have come to a conclusion
that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, 
and three or more is a congress." 

"Roger Woodbury" <rmwoodbury at roadrunner.com> writes:
> They won't run apparently.  My wrench bought a complete set including 
> the V8
> files.  Now they won't run on computers using IE 7 and require at 
> most Adobe
> Acrobat 4.
> 
> So, we are seeking a solution, since Bentley is NOT upgrading their 
> files to
> run on the new OS.
> 
> Does anyone have an old laptop that runs IE4 and has Adobe Acrobat 4 
> already
> installed that they would like to get out of the garage?
> 
> Any other comments or solutions?  
> 
> Incidentally, it seems to me that this is an issue with potential 
> societal
> ramifications.  If important documents or data is stored on discs 
> that are
> no longer readable because of basic changes in soft ware and 
> operating
> systems, what could actually be lost?  Quite a lot it seems, and 
> presumably
> opens the door for an entirely new type of archivist profession.
> 
> Roger