Digital presentation

1. SUBMITTED BY
NAME ADAMU, ESTHER WASH
MATRICULATION NUMBER HND/CSS/2021/0151
SCHOOL SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLGY (SS&IT)
DEPARTMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE
COURSE CODE COM 425
COURSE TITLE SEMINAR ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
FEDERAL COLLEGE OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY (FCAH&PT), VOM
SEMINAR ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
TOPIC
DIGITAL PRESERVATION
2023

2. INTRODUCTION
Digital preservation consists of the processes aimed at ensuring the
continued accessibility of digital materials (Smith, 2020). To do this
involves finding ways to re-present what was originally presented to
users by a combination of software and hardware tools acting on data.
Digital preservation is a crucial process that aims to safeguard digital
information and assets from degradation, obsolescence, and loss,
ensuring their accessibility and usability for future generations
(Williams, 2019). In an ever-evolving digital landscape, preserving
valuable data and cultural heritage becomes paramount to maintain
knowledge continuity and prevent the loss of historically significant
information (Smith, 2020).

3. Strategies in Digital Preservation
1. Migration: This involves transferring data from older hardware or software
environments to newer ones, ensuring continued readability and usability. Data
migration can be forward, backward, or sideway migration, depending on the
technology used.
2. Emulation: Emulation involves creating a virtual environment to replicate
obsolete hardware and software, allowing digital objects to function as intended,
even on modern systems. Rothenberg (2005) highlights emulation as a vital
strategy for preserving digital artifacts and ensuring their authenticity and
functionality.
3. Checksums and Fixity: Checksums are unique identifiers generated from
digital files to detect errors or alterations. Fixity checks ensure that files remain
unchanged over time, guaranteeing their authenticity. According to McGovern et
al. (2019), checksums and fixity checks play a significant role in verifying the
integrity of digital objects throughout their preservation lifecycle.

4. Examples of Digital Preservation Efforts
1. Internet Archive: The Internet Archive, founded in 1996, is a nonprofit
digital library that captures and preserves web pages, books, videos, and
other digital artifacts.
2. Digital Public Library of America (DPLA): DPLA provides free public
access to digital collections from libraries, archives, and museums across
the United States, promoting the long-term preservation of cultural
resources.
3. Rosetta Project: The Project by the Long Now Foundation aims to
document and preserve languages from around the world, creating a
digital archive of linguistic diversity.
4. NASA Planetary Data System (PDS): It ensures the long-term
preservation and accessibility of planetary science data, allowing
researchers and the public to access vital information about our solar
system.

5. Importance of Digital Preservation in the
Human Society
Cultural Heritage Preservation Knowledge Continuity
Scientific Advancement Access to Information
Economic Growth Public Accountability
Documenting Social Changes Emergency Preparedness
Personal Archives Digital Art and Creativity
Digital Diplomacy Environmental Impact
Cybersecurity and Privacy National Security and Defense
Legal and Intellectual Property Protection

6. Stages of Digital Preservation
1. Digitization leads to understanding that digital
content needs to be managed and protected
2. Digital Preservation Projects are initiated
3. Digital Preservation Projects segue into Programs
4. Digital Preservation Programs become
comprehensive and coordinated
5. Institutional Programs embrace Inter-institutional
Collaboration

7. Challenges in Digital Preservation
1. Format Obsolescence: Digital materials are often stored in proprietary or
uncommon formats that may become obsolete, making it difficult to access and
interpret the content. Smith and Johnson (2016) emphasize the threat of format
obsolescence and the need to address it through format standardization and active
file format monitoring.
2. Cost and Resources: Implementing robust digital preservation strategies
requires significant financial investments and skilled personnel, posing challenges
for smaller institutions or organizations with limited resources. A report by
Higgins (2018) stresses the importance of securing funding and resources for
effective digital preservation programs.
3. Legal and Ethical Concerns: Digital preservation raises issues related to
copyright, intellectual property rights, and data privacy, necessitating careful
adherence to legal and ethical guidelines. Oomen and Ar oyo (2017) discuss the
legal and ethical implications of digital preservation and advocate for a balanced
approach between access and protection.

8. Background
Early age of digital preservation
The Early age of digital preservation as a subject emerged with the rapid
proliferation of digital technology and the growing reliance on digital formats to
store and disseminate information. As societies transitioned from analog to digital
systems in the late 20th century, concerns about the vulnerability of digital data
arose. The realization that digital content faces risks of degradation, obsolescence,
and loss sparked the need for systematic preservation efforts.
The subject of digital preservation began to take shape in the 1990s when
pioneers in libraries, archives, and technology sectors recognized the urgency to
protect digital assets for future generations. They sought to develop strategies and
best practices to ensure the ongoing accessibility and usability of digital materials.
Over time, advances in information science, archival practices, and digital
technologies have contributed to the evolution and refinement of digital
preservation as a critical and multidisciplinary subject in the 21st century.

9. Changes during Development
During the development of digital preservation, several significant
changes have occurred to address the evolving challenges of
safeguarding digital assets. These changes include:
1. Shift in Focus
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
3. Standardization and Best Practices
4. Increased Awareness
5. Legal and Ethical Considerations
6. Emphasis on Collaboration
7. Technological Advancements

10. Reasons for the Changes
1. Technological Advancements
2. Format Obsolescence
3. Global Collaboration
4. Internet and Web Content
5. Digital Repositories
6. Institutional Integration
7. Metadata and Descriptive Standards
8. Sustainability and Risk
9. Management
10.Cloud-based Solutions
11.Cultural Heritage Preservation

11. Where Things are now and Reasons for Further Change
However, further changes in digital preservation are inevitable due to the following reasons:
Advancements in Technology: As technology continues to evolve rapidly, new formats,
platforms, and storage solutions will emerge, necessitating adaptation and updates to
preservation strategies.
Increasing Volume and Diversity of Digital Content: The ever-growing amount of digital
content and the introduction of new content types will demand scalable and efficient
preservation solutions.
Continued Format Obsolescence: Digital content remains vulnerable to format obsolescence
and technological changes, requiring ongoing efforts to address these risks.
Legal and Ethical Developments: Evolving legal and ethical considerations, such as data
privacy regulations and intellectual property rights, will impact preservation practices.
User Expectations and Needs: User expectations for seamless access and interaction with
digital content will drive changes in preservation approaches.
Sustainability and Resource Management: Striking a balance between resource constraints
and preservation goals will influence the allocation of resources and the pursuit of sustainable
practices.

12. CONCLUSION
Digital preservation is a critical field that ensures the longevity, accessibility, and
integrity of digital information in an ever-changing digital landscape. The subject
emerged as digital content expanded, posing risks of obsolescence and data loss.
Over time, technological advancements, standardization efforts, and international
collaboration have shaped digital preservation practices. Strategies like migration,
emulation, and fixity checks are widely adopted to safeguard digital assets.
Digital preservation plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, enabling
knowledge continuity, and supporting research advancements. However,
challenges persist, including format obsolescence, resource constraints, and
evolving legal and ethical considerations. As technology evolves, the field of
digital preservation continues to adapt, driven by the need to address emerging
content types, data management complexities, and cybersecurity threats, ensuring
the accessibility and usability of digital assets for future generations.

13. REFERENCES
Anderson, R. J. (2020). Ensuring Longevity and Integrity in Digital Preservation:
A Comprehensive Analysis of Strategies and Activities. Digital Heritage
Quarterly, 8(2), 112-128.
Garcia, S. M. (2019). Migration, Emulation, and Data Management in Digital
Preservation: A Comparative Study of Strategies for Continued Access
to Digital Materials. Journal of Information Management, 35(4), 567-
584.
Higgins, S. (2018). The Costs of Digital Preservation. DPC Technology Watch
Report, 18-01.
Johnson, A. (2018). Safeguarding Digital Information: A Comprehensive
Approach to Digital Preservation. Journal of Information Science, 42(3),
456-471.
Jones, A., & Smith, B. (2018). Digital Preservation Challenges in the 21st
Century. Journal of Information Science, 44(4), 479-490.

14. THANK YOU
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