File-Formats for Preservation, Evaluating the long-term stability of

file-formats

Carl Rauch, Harald Krottmaier and Klaus Tochtermann

Graz University of Technology, Austria

[http://www.charlys-musikkneipe.de/downloads/videos/]

Source: Carl Rauch, VUT

Original:

9 years later:

[http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/bal/1997.asp]

Source: Carl Rauch

Agenda

Motivation

The file-format evaluation process

Summary

Problem

A system for comparing various file-formats

A defined set of criteria for assessing the preservation risk

Requirements

More than 1.000

different file-formats

New software products are unable to interpret obsolete file-formats

The choice of reliable file-formats is done on an individual basis

Solution

Motivation

A structured workflow for evaluating file-formats

A file-format list for comparing file-formats in terms of preservation reliability

The file-format evaluation processReview Requirements

Assign measurable categories

Choose alternatives

Evaluate file-formats and transform values

Set importance factors

Aggregate results

Review Requirements

Reliability

Technical character-

istics

Market character-

istics

Duration ofsupport

Marketpenetration

Duration ofguarantee

Open specification

CompatibiltyNo. of

independent producers

Standard-isation

Assign measurable categories Open Specification: Yes = 5, Partly available = 3, No = 0

Compatibility: Number of software systems compatible with the format: 1 = 1, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, > 4 = 5

Standardisation: Yes = 5, Partly standardized = 3, No = 0

Duration of guarantee: 0 years = 0, > 0 years = 1, > 1 year = 2, > 3 years = 3, > 5 years = 4, > 10 years = 5

Duration of support: 0 years = 0, > 0 years = 1, > 1 year = 2, > 3 years = 3, > 5 years = 4, > 10 years = 5

Market penetration: < 100 users = 0, < 1.000 users = 1, < 10.000 users = 2, < 100.000 users = 3, < 1.000.000 users = 4, > 1.000.000 users = 5

Number of independent producers: 0 producer = 0, 1 producer = 1, 2 producers = 2, 3 producers = 3, 4 producers = 4, > 4 producers = 5

Choose alternatives

Drawing Exchange Format DXF/DWG Initial Graphics Exchange Specification IGES 3D Studio 3DS/MAX 3D Model 3DM Object OBJ

Evaluate file-formats and transform values

Set importance factors

Reliability

Technical character-

istics

Market character-

istics

Duration ofsupport

Marketpenetration

Duration ofguarantee

Open specification

CompatibiltyNo. of

independent producers

Standard-isation

14,29% 14,29%

Aggregate results

Source: VUT

Summary

The process of Utility Analysis can be used to:

Evaluate the preservation reliability of file-formats

Compare various file-formats in terms of preservation reliability

Create a broad list of file-formats as a reference for preservation projects