While the digital preservation challenge is caused by technology, it is not solved by technology. Many research projects started out with the ambition to devise a technology solution (migration, emulation, encapsulation, etc.) and many memory institutions thought it would suffice to apply the R&D results: the methods and associated tools. However, it has become clear that such all encompassing solutions do not exist.

Organisational readiness for Open Source

The demand for mature tools and services that support the digital preservation process is strong and growing stronger – and for a good reason.

Blog – Learning by doing in digital preservation

Libraries, archives and museums have been extremely successful in preserving centuries old paper-based, cultural and scientific heritage. How well are they doing with the growing and rapidly ageing digital-based heritage?

A very concise and compact report from Ricky Erway, OCLC Research,

http://www.oclc.org/research/publications/library/2012/2012-06r.html

Ricky’s report addresses some of the very basic challenges in Digital Preservation in the real world.

Emulation as a preservation strategy for memory institutions has been researched since Jeff Rothenberg’s article in Scientific American Magazine (1995). The strategy relies on emulating hard- and/or software that has become obsolete. Rendering a digital work by emulating the original platform for which it was originally created has the preservation benefit of recreating the (near)original look and feel of the work.

From its inception it has been part of the OPF’s vision that meaningful discussions around Digital Preservation problems are key to finding solutions, tools and ultimately improving digital preservation practices.