Born-digital artifacts

Definition

Born-digital artifacts are items created in a digital format from the outset, rather than being converted from physical forms. These artifacts encompass a wide range of content including documents, images, videos, and social media posts, all of which exist solely in the digital realm. They pose unique challenges for preservation and archiving due to their inherent nature and the rapid evolution of technology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Born-digital artifacts can be highly vulnerable to data loss due to hardware failures, software incompatibilities, and changing digital environments.
2. Unlike traditional artifacts, born-digital materials may not have a physical counterpart, making their preservation strategies distinct and often more complex.
3. Many born-digital artifacts are produced at a rapid pace, creating challenges for curation and ensuring that valuable content is identified and preserved.
4. The diversity of formats used in born-digital artifacts means that different preservation strategies may be needed for different types of content.
5. Legal and ethical considerations play a crucial role in the preservation of born-digital artifacts, particularly regarding copyright issues and privacy concerns.

Review Questions

• How do born-digital artifacts differ from traditional physical artifacts in terms of preservation challenges?
  • Born-digital artifacts differ significantly from traditional physical artifacts primarily in their vulnerability to technological changes and the lack of a physical form. While physical artifacts can often be preserved through conservation techniques, born-digital items require ongoing digital preservation efforts to combat issues like format obsolescence and data loss. Additionally, the rapid production rates of digital content complicate the identification and curation processes necessary for effective preservation.
• Discuss the importance of format obsolescence in the context of preserving born-digital artifacts and how this impacts archiving efforts.
  • Format obsolescence poses a major challenge in preserving born-digital artifacts because as technology evolves, certain file formats can become obsolete. This can result in the inability to access or retrieve important digital content that was created using outdated formats. Archiving efforts must therefore include proactive strategies such as regular migration of digital files to current formats to ensure continued access and usability over time.
• Evaluate the implications of legal and ethical considerations on the archiving of born-digital artifacts, especially regarding privacy and copyright issues.
  • Legal and ethical considerations have significant implications for archiving born-digital artifacts, particularly concerning copyright laws and privacy regulations. As many digital materials are generated by users online, archivists must navigate complex issues related to ownership rights and personal data protection. This requires a careful balance between preserving valuable cultural heritage and respecting individual privacy rights while ensuring compliance with legal frameworks governing digital content.

Related terms

Digital Preservation: The process of maintaining and ensuring access to digital materials over time, addressing issues such as data degradation, format obsolescence, and technological changes.

Archiving: The systematic collection and preservation of documents and records, with a focus on maintaining their integrity and accessibility for future use.

Format Obsolescence: A situation where data formats become outdated or unsupported, making it difficult to access or retrieve information stored in those formats.