RetroTechCollection:Reliable technical sources

RTC:RTS

This page documents an the RetroTechCollection guideline.

Editors should generally follow it, though exceptions may apply. Substantive edits to this page should reflect consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on this guideline's talk page.

Reliable technical sources provide accurate, verifiable information for documenting vintage computing and gaming hardware. This guideline helps contributors identify authoritative sources while recognizing the unique challenges of documenting obsolete technology where original manufacturers may no longer exist.

Source Hierarchy

Tier 1: Primary Technical Sources

Most authoritative - Use as primary references:

Official service manuals - Factory-authorized repair and maintenance documentation
Engineering schematics - Original circuit diagrams and technical drawings
Component datasheets - Manufacturer specifications for individual components
Technical bulletins - Official updates, corrections, and modifications
Factory training materials - Service courses and certification documentation
Patents and engineering documents - Legal filings with detailed technical descriptions

Tier 2: Published Technical References

Highly reliable - Suitable for primary sourcing:

Technical books by recognized experts - Authors with documented industry experience
Academic papers - Peer-reviewed research on computer history and technology
Industry publications - Trade magazines with technical editorial standards
Conference proceedings - Papers from technical conferences and symposiums
Government technical reports - Military or research institution documentation

Tier 3: Established Technical Websites

Generally reliable - Good for supporting information:

Manufacturer websites - Current companies maintaining legacy product information
Museum documentation - Computer history museums with curatorial standards
Technical wikis - Sites with established communities and editorial oversight
Professional repair services - Businesses with documented expertise and reputation
Educational institutions - Universities and technical schools with relevant programs

Tier 4: Community Sources

Use with caution - Verify when possible:

Moderated technical forums - Communities with established expertise and peer review
Expert blogs - Technical blogs by individuals with verifiable credentials
Video documentation - Technical videos with supporting written documentation
Collaborative projects - Community-driven documentation with multiple contributors

Evaluating Source Quality

Technical Authority

Assess the technical credibility of sources:

Author credentials - Does the author have relevant technical experience?
Professional background - Has the author worked in the relevant industry?
Technical accuracy - Can claims be verified against other sources?
Peer recognition - Is the author recognized by other technical professionals?

Documentation Standards

Look for sources that demonstrate:

Detailed procedures - Step-by-step instructions with specific parameters
Safety awareness - Appropriate warnings and safety procedures
Error acknowledgment - Willingness to correct mistakes and update information
Source attribution - References to original documentation and other sources

Community Validation

For community sources, consider:

Peer review - Has the information been reviewed by other experts?
Track record - Does the source have a history of accurate information?
Community standing - Is the author respected within the technical community?
Correction mechanisms - Are errors identified and corrected promptly?

Specific Source Types

Service Manuals

Original manufacturer documentation is the gold standard:

Highly Reliable:

Official factory service manuals
Authorized dealer training materials
Factory service bulletins and updates
Licensed third-party service documentation

Use with Verification:

Scanned copies of uncertain provenance
Translations of foreign-language manuals
Reconstructed manuals based on multiple sources
Community-created service guides

Technical Specifications

Component and system specifications require careful verification:

Primary Sources:

Original component datasheets
System specification sheets
Engineering drawings and schematics
Factory test procedures

Secondary Sources:

Technical reference books
Industry standard documents
Cross-referenced specifications from multiple sources
Verified community measurements

Historical Information

Dates, production numbers, and historical context:

Authoritative Sources:

Company annual reports and press releases
Patent filings with dates
Contemporary industry publications
Museum and archive collections

Supporting Sources:

Technical journalism from the period
Interviews with original engineers
Community documentation projects
Archaeological evidence from hardware examination

Manufacturer-Specific Considerations

Active Companies

For manufacturers still in business:

Current websites - May maintain legacy product information
Support documentation - Sometimes includes historical technical data
Official statements - Press releases and technical communications
Licensed materials - Documentation authorized by current copyright holders

Defunct Companies

For companies no longer in business:

Archive collections - Museums, libraries, and private collections
Former employee documentation - Engineers and technicians from the original company
Successor company information - Companies that acquired assets or rights
Community preservation efforts - Volunteer documentation and preservation projects

Licensing and Acquisitions

When companies have changed hands:

Current rights holders - Companies that acquired technical documentation rights
Licensing agreements - Authorized distributors of technical information
Partial acquisitions - Some documentation may be owned by different entities
Public domain status - Some older documentation may have entered public domain

Regional and Language Considerations

International Sources

Technical information varies by region:

Regional specifications - Different countries may have different technical standards
Localization differences - Hardware may be modified for different markets
Translation accuracy - Verify technical translations against original language sources
Cultural context - Understanding regional manufacturing and design practices

Language Barriers

For non-English sources:

Professional translation - Use qualified technical translators when possible
Native speaker verification - Have translations checked by native speakers with technical knowledge
Multiple language comparison - Compare information across different language sources
Technical term accuracy - Ensure technical terminology is correctly translated

Digital and Online Sources

Website Reliability

Evaluating online technical sources:

Indicators of Reliability:

Professional presentation and organization
Clear authorship and contact information
Regular updates and maintenance
Correction mechanisms and feedback systems
Links to additional authoritative sources

Warning Signs:

Anonymous authorship
Lack of source attribution
Outdated information without updates
No mechanism for corrections
Excessive advertising or commercial focus

Archive and Preservation

For historical online sources:

Wayback Machine - Archive.org preservation of historical web content
Digital archives - Institutional preservation of online materials
Mirror sites - Community-maintained copies of important resources
Download preservation - Local copies of critical technical documents

Community and Forum Sources

Technical Forums

Evaluating community-generated technical content:

High-Quality Forums:

Moderated communities with technical expertise
Long-standing forums with established reputations
Communities that encourage source citation
Forums with correction and update mechanisms
Sites with technical advisory boards or expert moderators

Quality Indicators:

Multiple expert confirmation of technical claims
References to original documentation
Detailed procedures with specific measurements
Community peer review and feedback
Track record of accurate information

Expert Contributors

Identifying reliable community experts:

Professional background - Industry experience in relevant fields
Community recognition - Respected by other technical community members
Consistent accuracy - Track record of providing correct information
Source attribution - Regular citation of authoritative sources
Error correction - Willingness to admit and correct mistakes

Special Circumstances

Orphaned Hardware

For hardware with unclear documentation status:

Multiple source verification - Cross-check information from various sources
Conservative approach - Use most restrictive interpretation when sources conflict
Community consensus - Rely on agreement among multiple expert sources
Experimental verification - Test procedures and specifications when safe to do so

Proprietary Information

Handling confidential or proprietary technical data:

Authorized disclosure - Information officially released by rights holders
Reverse engineering - Legally obtained information through legitimate analysis
Whistleblower protection - Information released in public interest
Time-based release - Information that becomes public after certain periods

Conflicting Sources

When authoritative sources disagree:

Source hierarchy - Prefer higher-tier sources over lower-tier ones
Date preference - More recent information may supersede older data
Scope consideration - Some sources may cover specific revisions or regions
Expert consultation - Seek input from recognized technical experts
Empirical testing - Verify through direct measurement when possible

Red Flags and Unreliable Sources

Avoid These Source Types

Generally unreliable for technical documentation:

Social media posts - Unless from verified official accounts
Sales listings - eBay, Amazon, or commercial descriptions
Unmoderated wikis - Sites without editorial oversight or fact-checking
Anonymous sources - Technical claims without identified authors
Clickbait sites - Content designed for traffic rather than accuracy

Warning Signs

Indicators of potentially unreliable information:

Lack of specific technical details
Claims without supporting evidence
Obvious technical errors or inconsistencies
Failure to cite original sources
Sensationalized or exaggerated claims
Commercial bias or promotional content

Verification Strategies

Cross-Reference Checking

Verify information through multiple sources:

Independent confirmation - Find the same information in unrelated sources
Technical consistency - Ensure specifications make technical sense
Historical context - Verify information fits known historical timeline
Expert review - Have technical experts evaluate questionable information

Empirical Verification

When possible, test information directly:

Measurement verification - Test electrical specifications with appropriate equipment
Procedure testing - Verify repair procedures on actual hardware
Component testing - Confirm component specifications through direct testing
Safety validation - Ensure safety procedures are effective and appropriate

Documentation and Citation

Source Attribution

When using technical sources:

Complete citation - Include all relevant publication information
Access information - Note how others can access the same source
Version specificity - Identify specific versions or revisions
Archive links - Provide permanent access through archive services

Quality Assessment

Document source reliability:

Tier classification - Identify which reliability tier the source belongs to
Verification status - Note whether information has been independently verified
Limitations - Identify any scope limitations or known issues with the source
Alternative sources - Provide additional sources when available