From Theory to Practice session 5 - iPRES HH4

Title: Be careful what you campaign for: How formal organization practice may negatively impact adaptability aspects of preservation

Author(s): Daniel Steinmeier

Abstract: Digital preservationists often struggle using their expert knowledge to create change within their own organization. Because of this, they might need to resort to campaigning for decision-making authority. Why is this? Memory institutions are used to adhering to standards and rules. Rules and regulations are beneficial for stability and trustworthiness. But too much focus on rules may create organizational rigidity which negatively impacts adaptability. Adaptability is a major goal for preservation so how could we create more room for this? An important part of adaptability is organizational learning. In order to facilitate learning we must understand which aspects of organizational practice negatively affect it. For example, avoiding discussion of mistakes is an important barrier to learning. If an organization prioritizes learning this can have a positive impact on the motivation of employees. Practitioners may feel more in control when they understand how to use theories of organizational learning to further implementation of preservation principles. More room for learning within the organization might also benefit the field of preservation itself through enhanced knowledge of what works and what doesn’t.

Type: Long Paper

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Title: Not Well-Formed or Invalid. Now What? – Towards a formalized workflow for format validation error treatment

Author(s): Micky Lindlar

Abstract: File format validation – we all use it and we all run into problems when files do not validate. Though a core process within digital preservation practice, little progress has been made in shared documentation and discussion of processes used to treat file format validation errors. This paper aims to close that gap. A basic workflow for handling validation errors is proposed and visualized, and in a second step tested against two TIFF and two PDF validation errors of varying severity. Observations made are fed back into the workflow diagram. The outcome shall provide a first step towards shared digital preservation practice in the currently largely neglected field of method formalization for file format validation error treatment.

Type: Long Paper 

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Title: Monitoring File Format Obsolescence In Reporsitories. An applied method

Author(s): Sam Alloing

Abstract: The Dutch Digital Heritage Network (DDHN) wants to improve the monitoring of file format obsolescence. The Preservation Watch group researched on how institutions can monitor the life cycle of file formats in their repositories and how the monitoring could be implemented on a broader scale. Monitoring file format life cycle implies there needs to be a way to measure format obsolescence or helps an institution to identify when a file format is getting obsolete. The applied research identified the needed information and used a known model to search for trends and is applied in widespread areas. The model was compared with a naive method to evaluate the more complex method. This approach was tested in different types of repositories and used different file formats to research the robustness of the approach. This paper will investigate the possibilities and shortcomings of this method and further research that is required.

Type: Short Paper

Zoom Recording ID: 82762506232 UUID: idXf+sfyRiiXz8OC4jD9dQ== Meeting Time: 2023-09-22 01:43:56pmGMT