Nat Friedman looking out of a glass bubble on Svalbard.
Arctic Code Vault
Institution: GitHub

Guarding Open Source Code for Eternity: GitHub in AWA

Open source code is the bedrock of our contemporary world, underpinning the technology we depend on daily – from operating systems to web browsers to mobile applications. However, much of this code resides on fragile storage that lacks the durability for long-term preservation.

Enter the Arctic Code Vault, a project committed to preserving open source code for future generations. This Code Vault is stored within the mountain captivating the Arctic World Archive, a secure and remote facility located on Svalbard, Norway.

Our heritage lives in the digital realm, but safeguarding it for the future can be dicey. Online threats and the limitations of modern storage tech put it at risk. That’s where the magic of Svalbard comes in – its remote, secure, and icy setting, coupled with resilient storage tech, ensures our files and data endure far into the future.

What’s Safeguarded in the Arctic Code Vault?

The Arctic Code Vault houses an impressive collection of over 6,000 repositories from GitHub, the world’s largest open source code repository. Among its treasures are the source codes for the Linux and Android operating systems, the programming languages Python, Ruby, and Rust, and the web platforms Node, V8, React, and Angular.

Additionally, the vault holds various artefacts linked to open source software, including documentation, community contributions, blog posts, and videos. These artifacts serve to preserve the history and culture of the open source community.

Why Choose the Arctic World Archive?

The Arctic World Archive is the perfect sanctuary for safeguarding open source code for generations to come. Situated in an isolated and resilient environment, it remains impervious to natural disasters and human interference. Composed of fireproof and waterproof materials, the archive can endure extreme radiation and environmental challenges that would normally render traditional data centres helpless.

In Conclusion:

The Arctic Code Vault stands as a valuable resource dedicated to preserving open source code for future generations. Ensconced in a secure and isolated repository, it is tailor-made for the long-term preservation of data. This vault bears testament to the significance of the open source community and its unwavering commitment to preserving the world’s knowledge for the benefit of future generations.

Read more about Arctic Code Vault:

archiveprogram.github.com/

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Use the AWA Platform

Want to explore how it works before making a deposit?

Get free access to the AWA platform and see how you can manage, preview, and prepare your preservation projects.

  • Upload unlimited data to your personal piqlFilm(s) with secure cloud storage until final submission.
  • Store any file format, in digital (QR-code) or visual format for long-term readability.
  • Track and manage deposits directly from your dashboard with full metadata support.
  • Retrieve your data anytime, with files made available via the secure AWA online portal.
Define you own metadata schemas in the AWA web application