b'Data trends Data trendsUBC GIF provides free utilities to prepare and view inversions, but they are not re-distributable and depend on one internet page never changing at a university. Source code is rarely provided.A minor example of abandonment concerns the ER Mapper file reference web page, which has disappeared from the internet after a decade of corporate takeovers. As a consequence, the ASEGs adopted archival grid format appears no longer to have an official help file enabling others to write ERS functions. Such information is vital to preserve.The value of archived files from forgotten Tim Keepinginstruments will only grow as land access Associate Editor for geophysicaldecreases, so remembering how they datamanagement and analysis were used is as important as being able technical-standards@aseg.org.au to read the data generated. It is yet to be determined whether the information might be stored on Github or the ASEG Proposed ASEG library of file types,website, but the repository must be easy documentation and programs to access and use.Are Members interested in contributing Geophysics has generated an enormousto such a library? Example input could number of files produced by anbe old gravity, mag, EM or IP meter enormous number of devices andoutput files with instructions or code consultants over the years, many ofto correctly read them. Similarly input which we have endeavoured to preserve.could be files generated by passive However, as device manufacturers andseismic geophones, MT sensors and EDI. software companies disappear, or peopleDifferent programming languages are retire, so can file access. The Technicallikely to be involved, but code written Standards Committee would like to findin any language would be useful. a way to document and archive data fileBinaries of your own programs would types, programming code and programs,be appreciated, and the source code a just as we do instruction manuals. godsend.We will begin with a list of devices orUnless this is your software, however, we programs, the data file types that theyenter the grey world of abandonware- generate, and how those data files candistributing programs no longer sold be opened. Raw device files are commonor supported, perhaps with distant, in older open-file company data, so thisdisinterested ownership. We have covers geophysics files ranging from rawseen programs moved around owners data up to processed data, grids and 3Dunchanged for years until operating models. system changes demanded an update. Locating open or donated programs andOthers fell off the radar. Hopefully source code for generating the variousthose companies can be persuaded to files out there is the next objective.contribute.Commercial software offers read/writeIf interested please email technical-APIs, but at the whim of a license change.standards@aseg.org.au.AUGUST 2022 PREVIEW 36'