Well said, Larry!

For long-term preservation of digital records, one tactic useful in some 
situations is computer output to microfilm (COM).  Unstructured info, 
including its metadata, is written directly onto film in OCR font.  It 
can later be returned to digital with relative ease and precision.  
Filmed spreadsheets can be dropped back into digital spreadsheets 
including formulae.

I never thought all of that microform stuff on the CRM exam would prove 
so useful.

Gordy
Gordon E.J. Hoke, CRM
[log in to unmask]
Plainview, MN USA

On 11/16/2010 9:57 AM, Larry Medina wrote:
> PDF/A isn't really an "ISO Format", but there is an ISO Standard addressing
> how PDF/A is used and what its intent is.
>
> ISO was able to get Adobe to agree to put a copy of the source code for
> PDF/A in escrow for 75 years to ensure it would remain a viable format for
> at least that long, and that's what the Standard is based on.
>
> Microsoft XML is **NOT** 'plain vanilla' XML, it's a proprietary version of
> XML with some other gobbledygook thrown in. Anyone saving things in M$ XML
> thinking they have a persistent format that is non-proprietary needs to
> think again.
>
> Those charged with the responsibility for maintaining persistent access to
> content for extended periods of time don't rely on any one format, certainly
> don't rely on a removable media, or any other single source to ensure that
> access will remain available for longer than 7-10 years.  It's an effort
> requiring constant diligence and regular conversion and migration to avoid
> degradation and obsolescence of media and formats as well as hardware.
>
> Decisions made are based on the frequency and patterns of access, the value
> of the information contained in the objects, and the length of time it is
> required to be accessed.  There are still plenty of situations where hard
> copy or microfilm stored properly and protected against damage and hazards,
> including environmental concerns, serve as an excellent alternative for the
> deep stored and persistently protected format for information assets.
>
> I doubt we will see any format more reliable than one you can view without
> the need for anything more than a light and magnification source.  Storing
> electronically generated content in any native format will always require
> some manipulation for continued access.
>
> Larry
> [log in to unmask]
>
> List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
> Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
> To unsubscribe from this list, click the below link. If not already present, place UNSUBSCRIBE RECMGMT-L or UNSUB RECMGMT-L in the body of the message.
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>

List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
To unsubscribe from this list, click the below link. If not already present, place UNSUBSCRIBE RECMGMT-L or UNSUB RECMGMT-L in the body of the message.
mailto:[log in to unmask]