Archiving digital media
Friday, February 25th, 2005Andrew Orlowski at the register has an article about David Rosenthal’s LOCKSS (lots of copies keeps stuff safe) project. It’s big with libraries who are very familiar with, and concerned about, how to keep digital stuff around for a long time. “LOCKSS is both a web cache and a web crawler,” and addresses persistence (even in the face of attempts to remove or damage); it doesn’t address obsolescence nor proprietary formats.
From the LOCKSS homepage:
Libraries haven’t had an easy way to build digital collections, nor had any assurance that a digital collection - once obtained - would remain accessible to future generations. Publishers are being asked to assure persistent access to content - a function well outside of their core mission. The LOCKSS Program addresses these issues.
and:
Simply put, LOCKSS provides for Jefferson’s “multiplication of copies,” but with an electronic twist.
Is it good for us too? “Rosenthal said he would expect it to be several years before it filtered down to the DIY level.”