File Formats Slides
Workshop Background Purpose • To provide you with resources and tools to help you know how to handle file format decisions as a researcher. Context • Workshop Series: Preservation and Curation of ETD Research Data and Complex Digital Objects • Other topics: Copyright, Data Organization, Metadata, Storage, Version Control • https://educopia.org/research/etdplus Photo by Dmitri Popov on Unsplash Learning Objectives • Understand you have a range of file format options and that each choice has implications for future use and access. • Gain exposure to tools for archiving particularly challenging file types (e.g., web pages). • Understand how to reduce your risk via using export and “save as” functions. Photo by Christian Fregnan on Unsplash Examples of file formats • Images: jpg, gif, tiff, png, ai, svg, ... • Video: mpeg, m2tvs, flv, dv, ... • GIS: kml, dxf, shp, tiff, ... • CAD: dxf, dwg, pdf, … • Data: csv, mdf, fp, spv, xls, tsv, ... Key concept The file formats you choose will determine how easy (or difficult!) your research outputs are to access and build upon in the future. How to choose • Use software that imports and exports data in common formats to which you know you’ll have long-term access. • Ask advisors and colleagues what formats they use and why. • Choose a format with functions that support your research needs (e.g., collaboration). • Save your content in multiple formats to spread your risk across software platforms (e.g., docx, pdf, & txt; or mp4, avi, & mpg). Photo by Bryan Minear on Unsplash Informing your decision • Sustainability of Digital Formats https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/ formats/intro/intro.shtml • Recommended Formats Statement https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rf s/ Photo by Lou Levit on Unsplash Archiving Web-based Resources • Wayback Machine (Internet Archive) https://archive.org/web/ • Robust Links http://robustlinks.mementoweb.org/ • Screen shots Photo by Logan Popoff on Unsplash File Format Conversions • Options include proprietary, freeware, and open source solutions.
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