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VERS STORY | STANDARD | COMPLIANCE | PROJECTS | DIGITAL ARCHIVE | TRAINING | TOOLKIT | PUBLICATIONS | |
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2 Background The theoretical background to the approach taken in VERS to preserving the ability to access the content of records is discussed in Advice 9: Introduction to VERS. In summary, however, a major issue with preserving electronic records is ensuring that the contents of data files can be displayed for the indefinite future. Displaying the contents of a data file requires a program that interprets the data file and renders the information. This program may be the original application or a replacement. If the program is the original application, the challenge is keeping the original program running despite changes in the computer environment in which the program is running. If the program is a replacement, the challenge is ensuring that the replacement program renders the information in the data file faithfully. Cost is a secondary, but important practical issue, when selecting a strategy for ensuring the continued display of electronic records. Unlike preserving paper records, all strategies for ensuring continued access to electronic records are active. That is, they require an archive to do things, and doing things requires resources (particularly people and money). An appropriate preservation strategy minimises the amount of resources required to ensure continued access. | |||||
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