Aggregating temporal forensic data across archival digital media

In this paper, I introduce a method for generating an aggregated timeline of file system activity derived from the disk images of archival digital media. Using a collection of 1,059 floppy disks from the Woody and Steina Vasulka collection as a case study for this process, I evaluate the technical issues of the dataset and describe the variances in date and time use for different file systems and the operating systems that use them. I discuss the utility of the timeline as a research and archival aid, and conclude that such timelines are promising resources which can provide a wider evaluative context for collections of digital media.