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