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Although ARSC started with intentions of learning what collections of
recordings were available and what the collections contained. Much
work was being done with regard to preserving music and speech. As
the report below suggests, perhaps ARSC needs to expand, just as some libraries
are expanding by preserving what is on the Internet with preserving
knowledge that is on tape.
HUMAN KNOWLEDGE HELD DIGITALLY MAY BE LOST
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has warned that techniques and policies must be created to save steadily increasing levels of digital information. In a paper published by UNESCO on digital conservation they noted that with more and more information being published digitally for specific computers and operating systems, it will be necessary to maintain the technology along with the digital files. The paper cites a story about a neurobiologist looking for data from the mid-1970s who was told that the software to read the computer tapes did not exist and the "programmers who knew it had died." Consultations on best practices in preserving digital files have begun within UNESCO. [SOURCE: AllAfrica.com, AUTHOR: Accrea Mail] (http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=4358&do=gpage) (c) Benton Foundation 2002. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally -- is encouraged if it includes this message Paul T. Jackson - Trescott Research
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