How Safe is Digital Information?

January 2011

Abstract

Given the right hardware and software, digital information is easy to create copy and disseminate; however, it is very hard to preserve. At present, it is impossible to guarantee the longevity and legibility of digital information for even one human generation. The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has sponsored work on possible solutions to this problem. One such solution is the development of emulators, which would enable access to information created using software and hardware that has since become obsolete. The merits of emulation are widely debated, and the approach has yet to be developed for broad, practical use. A more viable strategy, many argue, is migration, which the Task Force on Archiving of Digital Information defines as “the periodic transfer of digital materials from one hardware/software configuration to another, or from one generation of computer technology to a subsequent generation.” This paper does not argue the merits of emulation or migration for longevity; rather, it addresses the practical aspects of migration in an operating library. Migration is, in essence, a translation. With migration, as with all translations, some information is lost, no matter how skilled the interpreter. In migration, it is usually the context, rather than the data, that drops out or is improperly reconstructed in the new code. This can be crippling in dynamic formats, in relational databases, and even in simple spreadsheets. None the less, given how much information already exists in digital form and the brevity of its projected life span, institutions must act now to move information forward. They cannot afford to wait for the optimal solution.

Author

Sangita Purohit

Head Library, Ahmedabad University, India

Dr. Sangita Purohit is presently working as Head Library : Ahmedabad University-Ahmedabad since October. 01. 2003. Beside these service she has been served to ICFAI-Business School-Ahmedabad and British Library- Ahmedabad. She have more than 20 years of experience in the field of Library and Information Science . After doing her B.Sc. degree from Madras University , She have acquired Masters Degrees in Library and information Science from Sagar University Bhopal and Bachelors of Library and information Science also from Sagar University. She got her PhD from MP Bhoj University .She has presented more than 30 Research Papers in International and National Conferences and in book chapters . She has contributed more than 2 International and 5 National Research papers in reputed Journals in India and abroad. . She is a member and office bearer and editor of many(5) learned Bodies and Important Association. She was also nominated for best librarian award from Ahmedabad University. She is also Life member of many professional Associations. She is invited as Resource person and organized many events and remained on panel for many seminars / events.

Company

Ahmedabad University

Ahmedabad University was founded by Ahmedabad Education Society (AES). AES is a non-profit educational foundation located in Ahmedabad. More than 80 years old, AES was established at the behest of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India, by illustrious leaders such as Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the doyen of the Indian textile industry; Ganesh Mavalankar, the first Speaker of the Indian Parliament; and Amrutlal Hargovandas, one of the prominent industrialists of Ahmedabad. AES envisioned that the university would serve to advance education in the state of Gujarat, throughout India and the world. AES and its leaders have played significant roles in the founding of national institutions such as Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, National Institute of Design, Physical Research Laboratory, and Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology or (CEPT). The Trust is also responsible for supporting reputed institutions such as MG College of Science, LD College of Arts, HL College of Commerce, LM College of Pharmacy, AG Teacher’s College and LD Institute of Indology, amongst others. When the history of educational enabling is written in India, AES will be at the top for its amazing perspective and record of developing best in class institutions independently and with the government where land, funding and often management was provided by the leaders of AES.

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How Safe is Digital Information?

Abstract

Author

Company

Ahmedabad University

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