Barret, Robert. "Optical Disks Add Images to Information." 19 p. The Seventh British
Library Annual Research Lecture 1988, London, England: The British Library, 1989.
The author begins with an overview of the development of optical disk technology
and then discusses its various applications in the forms of: video disks, CD-ROM, CD-I, WORM
disks, and rewritable disks. Barrett concludes with brief discussions regarding the problems in
using these technologies, the issue of standardization, user reactions, availability of the
technology, and, finally, legal acceptability.
Ellis, Stephen. "Ensuring Long-Term Access to Electronic Records of Permanent
Value." Managing Electronic Records: Papers from a Workshop on Managing Electronic
Records of Archival Value, eds. Dagmar Parer, and Ron Terry, 102-110. Sydney, New South
Wales, Australia, 30 October 1992. Canberra, Australia: Australian Council of Archives Inc. and
the Australian Society of Archivists Inc., April 1993.
Ellis really deals with the issue of the preservation of electronic records, arguing
that our old notion of preservation equaling access must give way in electronic records to
methods by which we must ensure that either we can migrate the data or keep the records "alive"
in the system.
Jacobson, Louis. "Data Chase." Government Executive (October 1994): 47-50.
Jacobson discusses the ephemeral nature of computerized information by focusing
on eight problems facing the long-term preservation of important electronic records: 1) archivists'
lack of education in dealing with electronic records issues; 2) the need for archivists to
communicate their needs to records creators; 3) hardware and software obsolescence; 4) lack of
documentation to support preserved data; 5) the development of new, more complicated,
software; 6) the rapid increase in data accumulation; 7) the dilemma of how much to save; and 8)
the "short window of time" available to identify and preserve important information.
Jones, Bernard. "Data Storage on Optical Disk: A CCTA Experiment." Computer
Generated Records: Proceedings of a Seminar, ed. Michael Cook, 40-46. University of
Liverpool, 26 September 1986. England: Society of Archivists, 1987.
Jones reported on an experiment to convert data from magnetic tape to optical disk
conducted by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. He describes a number of
different types of storage medium and their advantages.
Lievesley, Denise. "Increasing the Value of Data." Electronic Information Resources
and Historians: European Perspectives, Eds. Seamus Ross, and Edward Higgs, 205-217. The
British Academy, London, 25 June 1926. St Katharinen: Scripta Mercaturae Verlag, 1993.
(Abstract provided).
The benefits of ensuring that data are preserved are well recognized. However
this paper argues that it is essential to support the use of data by providing a flexible and speedy
service in disseminating data. It will also consider the importance of data documentation and
will discuss ways in which the value of data may be increased through, for example, integration
of datasets and the compilation of teaching packages.
Miller, Page P. "Insuring the Preservation of Electronic Records." The Chronicle of
Higher Education (3 February 1993): A44.
Miller offers an overview of "Armstrong v. Executive Office of the President"
and explains the need to preserve back-up tapes of the PROFS computer system, as opposed to
the National Security Council's argument that any important memos can be printed out and the
rest destroyed. The author also points out the significance of the ruling to bringing about
legislation to deal with the complex issues in dealing with electronic mail.
New York, State Archives and Records Administration, The University of the State of New
York/The State Education Department. Introduction to Optical Disk. 16 p. State
Government Records Management Information Series, Albany, NY: New York State Archives
and Records Administration, 1990.
(Abstract taken from booklet).
This booklet provides a brief introduction to optical imaging technology,
describes the components of an optical disk imaging system, reviews how an optical disk system
operates, and summarizes some of the basic considerations for implementing an effective optical
imaging system.
Smith-Roberts, Rob. "Saving the Important Bits for Later: Data Management Principles
& Metadata." Managing Electronic Records: Papers from a Workshop on Managing
Electronic Records of Archival Value, eds. Dagmar Parer, and Ron Terry, 68-86. Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia, 30 October 1992. Canberra, Australia: Australian Council of
Archives Inc. and Australian Society of Archivists Inc., April 1993.
Based on a test study of six Australian government agencies, it was found that
data was perceived to be a corporate asset in which the agencies were striving to know their data,
to share it, maintain its accuracy, and, as a new principle, to preserve it.
Swade, Doron. "Collecting Software: Preserving Information in an Object-Centred
Culture." Electronic Information Resources and Historians: European Perspectives, Eds.
Seamus Ross, and Edward Higgs, 93-103. The British Academy, London, 25 June 1926. St
Katharinen: Scripta Mercaturae Verlag, 1993.
(Abstract provided).
Computer software is not yet an explicit part of the custodial mandate of the
museum establishment and there is a growing alarm at the historical implications of this
exclusion. The nature of software is philosophically problematic. In practical terms, a
programme of acquisition and conservation is technically forbidding as well as resource
intensive. This article attempts to locate software as an artefact in the material culture of
museums and explores some of our preconceptions and expectations for a software preservation
programme. It examines some respects in which software is both like and unlike traditional
museum objects. It briefly considers the prospects for extending the operational life of obsolete
systems through physical restoration as well as logical simulation.
Task Force on Archiving Digital Data. Preserving Digital Information,
commissioned by the Commission on Preservation and Access, and Research Libraries Group.
May 1, 1996.
This report outlines the results of the Task Force on Digital Archiving's
investigation into how to best protect materials already in digital form from deterioriation and
technical obsolescence. The challenges, attributes, and stakeholder interests facing the
preservation of digital information are examined, as well as the role of archivists in ensuring
long-term access to these materials. While the report offers an explicit set of recommendations
that must be considered, perhaps the more important function of this document is to increase
awareness of the very real problems threatening the long-term preservation of digital
information.
United States National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Imaging and
Optical Digital Data Disk Storage Systems: Long-Term Access Strategies for Federal
Agencies, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC, 14 April
1994.
(Abstract taken from Executive Summary).
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently completed a
study of digital image and optical digital data disk storage systems in the Federal Government.
The Findings of this research are discussed in this report, prepared by NARA's Technology
Research Staff. Major areas identified are critical information management issues, technological
trends, and germane user experiences. Research study elements included: analysis of optical
digital data disk technological developments; review of the relevant technical literature;
assessment of Federal agency program management experiences with optical digital data disk
systems; and, site visits to fifteen Federal agency optical disk projects. Report appendices
consist of descriptive site visit summaries, a list of technical standards, an annotated
bibliography, and a glossary defining technical terms.
Last Modified: 8/14/96 [kjb]