PAST: Performance Archive Search Tool
PAST:Performance Archive Search Tool
What is PAST?
• A way to harvest Archivists’ Toolkit (AT) & Orchestra Planning and Administration System (OPAS) data and present it to users.
How Does PAST Work?
OPAS
ATPAST
OPAS AT
PAST
MS SQL / MySQL databases
Microsoft .NET Framework
Development?
• Paul Gallagher• Detroit Symphony Orchestra• Michigan Opera Theatre
• Second phase funded via Andrew W. Mellon Grant
• Other institutions looking at deploying soon
Open Source?
• “Boutique” Application• Designed for performing arts archives• Developed to meet the specific needs of the
DSO archives & MOT Library• Requires commercial OPAS software• Possibility of disabling the performance system
• Not free as in “beer,” free as in “kitten”
Good & Bad
• Good• Custom developed• fit specific needs and tailored to specific metadata
• Bad• Difficult to sustain• General lack of support – extensibility requires
development support
• Not community driven development
Online
• dso.pastsoftware.com• Public site, primary use has still been internal
• trac.pastsoftware.com• Source code / installation information