Technology & Tools Flashcards

Which file format is considered a preferred preservation format for still images due to its lossless compression and wide software support?

Answer: TIFF

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is the archival standard for still images because it supports lossless compression and is widely accepted by preservation institutions.

The PREMIS data dictionary is primarily used in digital preservation to record what type of information?

Answer: Preservation metadata and events for digital objects

PREMIS (Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies) documents the technical metadata and events—such as format migrations and fixity checks—needed to support the long-term preservation of digital objects.

An archivist wants to verify that a digital file has not been altered during transfer. Which tool would be most appropriate?

Answer: MD5 or SHA-256 checksum utility

MD5 and SHA-256 are cryptographic hash functions used to generate checksums that confirm a file's integrity has not changed during transfer or storage.

Which open-source digital asset management and preservation system, developed by Stanford and partners, is widely used by cultural heritage institutions?

Answer: Archivematica

Archivematica is an open-source digital preservation system that implements OAIS and automates the creation of Archival Information Packages.

What does the acronym SIP stand for in the OAIS reference model?

Answer: Submission Information Package

A Submission Information Package (SIP) is the information package delivered by a producer to an OAIS for ingest into the archive.

Which metadata standard is specifically designed to encode archival finding aids in a machine-readable XML format?

Answer: EAD (Encoded Archival Description)

Encoded Archival Description (EAD) is an XML standard maintained by the Library of Congress and SAA for encoding archival finding aids.

Which of the following best describes 'bit rot' in the context of digital preservation?

Answer: Gradual degradation of data due to physical media decay or software obsolescence

Bit rot refers to the spontaneous corruption of data stored on digital media, caused by magnetic decay, radiation, or other physical processes over time.