Digital archival/preservation
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An archive is a collection of things; today, more people and organizations choose to store information and data digitally, for longevity and ease of access.
Digital archival refers to the act of while encompasses a broader range of activities aimed at ensuring that digital content remains accessible and usable over time. These activities include the implementation of strategies and technologies to protect digital information from obsolescence, degradation and loss.
Digital archival and preservation are critical processes for maintaining and ensuring the longevity of digital information. Archiving the internet serves several important purposes:
Preserve information for historical record: By capturing and storing digital content, we create a historical record that can be used to understand the evolution of society, culture, and technology.
Document changes over time: Web archiving allows us to track changes to websites and digital content over time, providing insights into how information and perspectives have evolved.
Protect cultural memory: Digital archiving helps safeguard our cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations have access to digital artifacts that are part of our collective memory.
Support research: Researchers rely on archived digital content for a variety of studies, including social sciences, humanities and technological research.
Historically, archiving has been a process of retaining information and collections, largely by people who hold power. What information is stored and what narrative it tells, was determined by people who decided what information held worth and value. While , today, there are many conversations concerning how to decolonize knowledge production and store and retain information transparently. This can look like writing accompaniments to archives that explain what information is stored and why, who made the archive, and who the archive is for.