Hobbes OS/2 Archive: An Enduring Legacy and Digital Preservation

February 01, 2024 By Raulf Hernes

(Image Credit Google)

In an important announcement, New Mexico State University (NMSU) stated that the Hobbes OS/2 would be closed on April 15, 2024. This decision marks the end of a technological era since Hobbes has served as a resource for IBM OS/2 users for almost thirty years. This blog explores the history of Hobbes, its confirmed role in preserving OS/2 software, and the broader impact of its coming shutdown. Hobbes' Historical Significance: Founded by NMSU's Department of Information & Communication Technologies, Hobbes has made its place as one of the internet's oldest software archives. With a history of approximately 32 years, it predates many digital storehouses, comparable to famous archives such as the University of Michigan's and ibiblio at UNC. Originating as an FTP site, Hobbes has grown into a digital time capsule, accommodating an expansive array of OS/2 software, utilities, games, applications, and development tools dating back to the OS/2 launch in 1987. Also Read: Inkjet Printing for Bezels on Upcoming Foldables Archivist Reassurance and Preservation Initiatives: When Hobbes announced its closing, there were concerns about potential data loss. However, notable archivists, like Jason Scott of the Internet Archive, have informed the public that the materials held on Hobbes are secure and have already been mirrored elsewhere. Scott's remark on Mastodon, claiming to have Hobbes "handled," and OS/2 World.com's promise to build a mirror highlight the community's resolve to preserve this important piece of internet history. Examining the Digital Time Capsule: Hobbes' archive offers a glimpse into the past with its Top 50 Downloads page, featuring OS/2 versions of the Thunderbird email programme, sound and picture editors, and a range of other applications. The extensive collection offers a summary of OS/2's development and includes backdrops, games, and utilities. In reality, the Update Strategy for the archive, examined on March 12, 1999, is a historical relic that captures the late twentieth-century digital landscape. Legacy of OS/2: OS/2 was developed as a result of an IBM-Microsoft partnership and had cutting-edge capabilities including multitasking and 32-bit computing. Despite its technological brilliance, OS/2 faced intense competition from Windows, which resulted in the breakup of the IBM-Microsoft alliance. OS/2 established a place in specialized sectors like ATMs and transportation systems, establishing an enduring legacy that is carried forward by later versions maintained by third-party companies. Preservation of Digital Heritage: Thinking about how to preserve digital heritage is caused by Hobbes' impending shutdown. While the archive's contents are replicated elsewhere, the probable loss of one of OS/2's key archives highlights the necessity of preserving digital artefacts for future generations. Hobbes, having previously faced closure threats, exemplifies the OS/2 community's persistence in uniting to preserve this critical resource. The closure of the Hobbes OS/2 Archive goes about as a sad reminder to safeguard our digital heritage. The legacy of OS/2, restricted in Hobbes, will go on through mirrored archives and consistent efforts to safeguard the digital legacy of an operating system that acted as a significant part in the extension of individualized computing.

By Raulf Hernes

If you ask me raulf means ALL ABOUT TECH!!

Hobbes OS/2 Archive: An Enduring Legacy and Digital Preservation

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