>>I recommend A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge about this and, for us Fox -Dinosaurs, the part about software-archeology.
>
>Ah! I knew it's in one of those that I've read more than twice... and of course forgot its inventory. Keeping the plot in mind is complicated enough.

I like the little side stories in it - for example that even space faring technology is subject to wear and when not carefully planed one is stranded on a mediaeval planet. And the luxurious shit-house-street.