Friday, May 26, 2006

Weekly readings - 26 May 2006

Data Dictionary for Preservation Metadata.  OCLC/RLG.  May 2006.

http://www.oclc.org/research/projects/pmwg/premis-final.pdf

This is the final report of the PREMIS Working Group that examines preservation metadata.  The 237 page document includes the PREMIS Data Model and Data Dictionary; examples, methodology, and implementation considerations. The report defines preservation metadata as “the information a repository uses to support the digital preservation process. Specifically, the group looked at metadata supporting the functions of maintaining viability, renderability, understandability, authenticity, and identity in a preservation context.” 

 

Aftermarket Inks Fading Fast? Hard Copy Supplies Journal Announces Wilhelm’s Surprising Test Results.  PRWeb.  Press Release.  May 25, 2006.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb390347.htm

Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) 6 that the image permanence of photos printed with aftermarket ink jet cartridges and photo papers is far inferior to that of photos printed with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ink jet cartridges and photo papers.  The image permanence is an intrinsic part of product quality.  In some cases they see a difference of 70 years of permanence ratings between OEM and aftermarket products.   Making ink jet dye is simple if they ignore permanence.  But it is more difficult to make print products with both high quality and high permanence.   “As a group, the aftermarket inks and premium photo papers in this study had among the lowest WIR display-permanence ratings of any products ever tested by our lab.”  Early print products would degrade in under a year.  Now high quality products can last decades, and some have exceeded the 100 year mark.  Once manufacturers have the image quality right, they can move on to image permanence.  “It is clear that consumers have no idea just how poor the permanence—and thus the overall quality—of these products actually is.” 

 

User survey reveals ILM reality.  James E. Short.  Infostor.  May 24, 2006.

http://www.infostor.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ARTCL&SubSection=Display&PUBLICATION_ID=23&ARTICLE_ID=255966

A recent survey showed that managers in data storage, IT, and records management have widely differing views about information lifecycle management (ILM).  There are multiple definitions of what it is, and if it will create more problems that it will solve.  A majority of those who responded defined ILM as “a policy-based approach to improving records and information management”.  Others saw it as “a technical and systems management issue.”  Part of the concern is that technology is seen as the solution, where others see it as management agreement / control over data across functions departments and people.  Respondents felt that there were more drawbacks than advantages, but also felt that if it is properly defined and implemented, ILM could potentially improve management control over data and reduce storage costs.

 

Canon Considers Halt to Film Camera Development.  Reuters.  May 25, 2006. 

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1967639,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594

Canon has said that it would consider stopping development of new film cameras as it focuses on digital cameras and because the market is shrinking.  A final decision will be made in the future while they monitor market demand.  Nikon has already stopped producing most of its film cameras;  Konica Minolta has decided to exit the camera and photo film markets because of losses and low demand.

 

Heritage Microfilm Introduces New Archival and Subscription Program.  PRWeb.  Press Release.  May 25, 2006

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb389560.htm

Starting in June 2006, Heritage Microfilm will release a new program aimed at bridging the gap between traditional and digital archiving.  The program is built around the ideas of “Preserve,” “Protect” and “Prepare.” Focusing It is designed to bring libraries and historical societies together with newspaper publishers, and has two separate components. One is designed for newspaper organizations and involves the microfilming and digitization of newspaper pages. The other enables libraries to access this content in both microfilm and web-based digital format.  “While microfilming, a stable and analog technology, will never be superseded by digital technologies for long-term preservation, the digital component allows access on a scale never before breached by microfilm."   It will also release a product called DigitalMicrofilm which is billed as an alternative to traditional microfilm subscriptions. Publisher pre-press files, uploaded weekly into the Heritage system, will be delivered through a digital archive website to the subscribing library. This allows librarians and their patrons to access fully-searchable newspaper content previously available on microfilm.

 

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