RADD

Recover Analog and Digital Data (RADD) is indefinitely closed for use.

Recover Analog and Digital Data (RADD) is a collection of hardware and software in the Information School Library designed for digitizing at-risk analog materials as well as recovering data from at-risk digital media. Class projects and student practicums involving RADD enable students to learn multimedia digitization, media archaeology, and digital forensics skills while helping secure real-world information stores for the future.

How was RADD developed?

RADD was initially designed and budgeted by a group of students taking LIS 668 “Digital Curation.” RADD’s book scanner was built by a group of students taking LIS 644 “Digital Trends, Tools, and Debates.” RADD was built and is maintained by Information School faculty member Dorothea Salo, with assistance from Will May.

Who may use RADD?

RADD is first and foremost a teaching machine. Information School course-related uses receive priority. After that, it is open to the UW-Madison community.

What does RADD do?

RADD can digitize several common types of audiovisual materials, if they are in good condition. It can also attempt data recovery from several types of obsolete digital-storage media.

What exactly can RADD work with?

Audiovisual materials:

  • VHS, Betamax, U-Matic (3/4″), Mini-DV, Hi8, and Digital8 videotapes (Betacam coming soon)
  • 33 and 45 rpm vinyl, audiocassettes, and microcassettes (78 rpm vinyl and reel-to-reel coming soon)
  • 35mm slides, negatives, and filmstrips

Digital materials:

  • 3.5″ and 5.25″ floppy disks
  • Iomega 100MB and 250MB Zip disks
  • Iomega Jaz disks
  • IMation SuperDisks
  • many SD cards
  • most SATA and IDE hard drives

Where is RADD?

RADD lives in the Information School Library on the fourth floor of Helen C. White Hall. From the elevators, turn right, then left to enter the library. Go straight back and left; RADD is against the back windows near the Information School Computer Lab. It is available whenever the Information School Library is open and it is not in use.

Is RADD portable? Can I use it in my location?

No, RADD is completely sessile, but that’s an interesting idea and Dorothea Salo is thinking about it. If you’re curious about any of RADD’s components or software, feel free to email Dorothea.

What does RADD cost?

Using RADD is free. Materials can be digitized/recovered for you for a fee (cash or interdepartmental transfer is preffered); see the price sheet.

Can I learn how to use RADD?

Here are the instructions to use RADD (this site will move to the SLIS website after its platform migration).

I have media in need of rescue! Help!

Contact Dorothea Salo with a description of what and how much you have. No guarantees, but we’ll see what we can do.

I have (description of weird gadget). Can RADD use it?

Possibly! Contact Dorothea Salo. RADD is particularly hunting for a reel-to-reel tape playback machine and a Zip drive that handles 250MB disks. A donation would be tax-deductible.

Digital forensics? What’s that?

A wonderful introduction to digital forensics for cultural-heritage institutions is available in print at the Information School Library.

I have a question not on this list…

Please contact Dorothea Salo, salo@wisc.edu. RADD is actively seeking interesting collections to write grants against. It also accepts some equipment donations.