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Press Release
June 21, 2010

Conservation Data Systems, LLC
releases CDS-Documentation (CDS-D)
into the public domain

CDS-Documentation is a computer program for documenting the conservation treatment of historic and artistic artifacts. Designed by conservator John R. Watson, and developed and published by programmer James F. Judson, the software offers professional conservators the first comprehensive and broadly customizable treatment documentation system available anywhere. In the five years from 2005-2010, development of CDS-D was supported by commercial licensing; CDS-D users now are to be found in seven countries. A new beta version released on this date now supports multiple languages. A list of enhancements traces the development of CDS-D since 2004/5.

By 2010, several commercial or grant-funded initiatives were underway, each promising excellent new alternatives for conservation documentation. CDS has strongly encouraged and in some cases, contributed expertise to these efforts, and several emerging solutions have benefited from the pioneering work of CDS. As these products become publically available, links will be added to this page.

CDS-Documentation continues to be a viable solution for conservation treatment documentation, at least until future changes in operating systems render it inoperable. Note that it works correctly in Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems. The program is now in the public domain as a free, fully functional download. We particularly hope the software will continue to serve the conservation profession as a conceptual model for treatment documentation. Please note, however, that the free version of the software will not be supported by Conservation Data Systems, and will not receive further development.

All current (paid) CDS-D licensees will continue to receive limited free support for the time being. Please do not hesitate to request support by email.