Digital preservation

Digital preservation is the process of keeping digital information safe and usable over time. This is important because digital files can be lost or become unreadable as technology changes.^[1]

Why it is important

Digital files, like photos, documents, and videos, can be lost if not saved properly. Computers and storage devices can break, and old formats can become outdated. Digital preservation helps to make sure that important information is not lost.^[2] Digital preservation is important to keep digital information safe for the future. By planning, storing, checking, and updating, we can make sure that important digital files are not lost.

How it is done

Planning: Decide what digital files are important and need to be saved.
Storing: Use safe and reliable storage methods, like cloud storage or special hard drives.
Checking: Regularly check the files to make sure they are still readable and not damaged.
Updating: Move files to new formats or storage devices as technology changes.

Challenges

Technology Changes: New software and hardware can make old files hard to read.
Storage Failure: Hard drives and other storage devices can fail.
Cost: Keeping digital files safe can be expensive.^[3]

Related pages

Web archiving

References

↑ Digital Preservation Coalition (2008). "Introduction: Definitions and Concepts". Digital Preservation Handbook. York, UK. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012. Digital preservation refers to the series of managed activities necessary to ensure continued access to digital information for as long as necessary.
↑ Tibbo, Helen R. (2003). On the Nature and Importance of Archiving in the Digital Age. Advances in Computers. Vol. 57. p. 26. doi:10.1016/S0065-2458(03)57001-2. ISBN 9780120121571.
↑ Evans, Mark; Carter, Laura. (December 2008). The Challenges of Digital Preservation. Presentation at the Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

[1] Digital Preservation Coalition (2008). "Introduction: Definitions and Concepts". Digital Preservation Handbook. York, UK. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012. Digital preservation refers to the series of managed activities necessary to ensure continued access to digital information for as long as necessary.

[Tibbo-2003-2] Tibbo, Helen R. (2003). On the Nature and Importance of Archiving in the Digital Age. Advances in Computers. Vol. 57. p. 26. doi:10.1016/S0065-2458(03)57001-2. ISBN 9780120121571.

[Evans_2008-3] Evans, Mark; Carter, Laura. (December 2008). The Challenges of Digital Preservation. Presentation at the Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

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