The document outlines a digital preservation exercise led by Michael Day from UKOLN, University of Bath, focusing on the importance of evaluating different resource types for future preservation. It emphasizes the necessity of understanding future information needs, including content, context, and technical characteristics, to ensure longevity and accessibility. The final discussion encourages ranking these characteristics to prioritize what is essential for preserving specific resources.

1. UKOLN is supported by: Digital preservation (exercise) Michael Day Research and Development Team Leader UKOLN, University of Bath MSc Lecture, UWE, Bristol, 10 March 2010

2. 1. Pick a resource type: For example: Institutional Web site Blog Digital photographs PDF report Medical images (e.g. X-rays, CT scans) Audio files (e.g. MP3 files) Multimedia-based artwork Presentation slides (e.g. MS PPT) Email Research datasets Facebook page

3. 2. Explore information needs Information needs in fifty years time: Files have been found on a neglected server; need to work out whether they are worth preserving and what migration path/s to follow Ask what information users in 2060 will need in order to use, understand and interpret the resource correctly? Use the categories: Content Context Appearance (e.g., colour, layout) Structure (e.g., pagination, sections) Behaviour (e.g., interactivity, functionality) Technical characteristics (e.g., software dependencies)

4. 3. Ranking and summing-up Ranking: Attempt to rank the importance of the characteristics identified For example, for a Blog, the content in the form of dated postings may be more important than its appearance within Wordpress or Blogger Short summary: Top three characteristics of the chosen resource type Discussion

5. Any Final Questions?

6. Thank You!