Evica - WWUH

[Peter Lemkin]

I think the question of an archive, existing or otherwise, is actually beside the point. (I'm the one who brought up "archive," but let's let that go.)

The actual digitizing is the important thing. This is not to be construed as me volunteering, because I'm not. But the actual digitizing, as most may know, is really quite simple. All that's required is a few bits of hardware. I've digitized a bunch of JFK stuff in recent years. It's as easy as connecting a tape player into a computer. In my case, it goes into Garageband on my Mac. Thence to iTunes, thence to disk. But it's time consuming, since it must be done in real time, and I take it there are many, many hours worth of the program.

Once digitized, the disk, flash drive, or whatever, could be stored in a shoebox next to all the original air check cassettes. Or duplicated and distributed to whatever archive.

The watchword is preservation.

John and Ed,

The tapes are securely held.

And yes, they should be digitized. The problem is: by whom?

To be blunt, I can't think of an existing JFK archive to which I'd entrust them.

Right! Not loosing through degradation or loss is the most urgent and important - how to disseminate them comes after and is easy and manifold. I'd be willing if someone gave me the computer configuration to mention how it can most easily be done. It will take about 5% longer than actual tape time / tape. There is no way to automate it. Someone has to change the tapes and start the computer 'record' and then label the product. The computer does not need attending once the process is begun. It can be made to shut off when the tape is over....but someone has to change the tapes and start the process for each show. Perhaps with a little money, a neighborhood techie [who is trusted] could be given tapes in small groups and paid for his/her time to do this. It would NOT stop them doing other things on their computer. Only if you know someone with a radio station could one consider doing multiple tapes simultaneously.....or buy a number of tape machines all plugged into a computer each feeding in a separate show to a different space on the disk. Few have quality tape machines these days...but you might hunt for a trusted one...they are likely to have many. If you had ten [for example] and ten taped shows were done at a time, this would cut down the time involved by 1/10th. Depending on the heat, humidity and type of tape originally used the lifetime and quality of what is on those tapes will be determined. There is good software to repair most degradation of voice recordings, as long as there is something to work with. May I ask about how many tapes of what length [time] we are talking about?