pysyyko

Pysyyko is a fictional framework used in information science to evaluate the long-term persistence of digital artifacts. It is not an established standard or widely adopted methodology, but rather a construct used in thought experiments and teaching materials to illustrate how different factors influence digital longevity.

In the pysyyko model, artifacts are assessed across three dimensions: format stability (the likelihood that future systems can interpret the data), tooling continuity (the availability of software to read and modify the artifact), and governance continuity (the stability of policies, institutions, and funding that maintain access). Scores are typically qualitative and may be combined to produce an overall persistence rating. The framework is designed to provoke discussion about trade-offs between openness, interoperability, and stewardship.

Originating in fictional educational scenarios, pysyyko is employed to explore how format obsolescence, software dependency, and organizational commitments interact to affect long-term accessibility. It is commonly used in classroom exercises, where learners compare pysyyko scores across file formats, software ecosystems, and archiving strategies, or critique real-world preservation initiatives through the lens of the framework.

Reception and limitations are typically noted in academic discussions: because pysyyko is a constructed tool, it lacks empirical validation and can oversimplify the complexities of preservation work. Proponents argue it clarifies conceptual questions, while critics caution that it should supplement rather than replace established preservation models and practical best practices.