The Lossless Argument

Propose a preservation decision for one bounded object or collection, price it, and show what changes when your largest assumption is wrong.

Due: 7 June 2027 · Weight: 40%

Name one thing that should be copied without loss. Price it.

Due 12:00, Monday 7 June 2027 (Canberra time). About 16–20 hours.

What you submit#

A 2,500-word argued position, a costing table or spreadsheet, and a source list.

Say what preserved means for your object: exact bits, legible text, audible content, documented provenance, or another property someone could test. The word does different work in each case, and the costing follows from which you choose.

Required elements#

• Scope and time horizon.
• A comparison with one alternative.
• Evaluation of at least one restoration or preservation claim, using the evidence standards from weeks 10 and 11.
• Storage, labour and redundancy assumptions, using the week 8 overhead framework.
• A simple sensitivity analysis: what changes when one major assumption changes.

Label any fictional budget rates and keep them separate from sourced estimates.

How it is marked#

A pass presents a coherent proposal with basic evidence and costing. A strong response tests its assumptions and compares credible options. An excellent response makes the uncertainty consequential to the decision.

A justified decision not to preserve something is allowed and can score highly. A dramatic position is not rewarded for sounding uncompromising.

Extensions, late work and declaration of tools: see the course policies.