The Keeper of the Morgue
In the taxonomy of Archaeobytology, the Preservationist runs a "Morgue," not a "Zoo." They are expert at storing the corpses of dead software (Petribytes) in ideal conditions (checksum-verified, three-location backups). However, they lack the tools or the mandate to resurrect these artifacts. Their success metric is "zero data loss," not "accessible experience."
The OAIS Framework
The Preservationist operates under the OAIS (Open Archival Information System) model, which focuses on the "Information Package." This model is brilliant for text and images but catastrophic for interactive media, where the "Information" is the interaction, not the code.
Field Notes
The Difference: The Preservationist asks: "Is the file corrupted?" The Archaeobytologist asks: "Can the file be played?" One is a question of storage; the other is a question of life.
The Challenge: We need Preservationists. Without their cold storage, we would have no raw material to work with. But they are the "Miners," not the "Smiths." The discipline needs both.