Longevity of Digital History?

November 19, 2008 katdp3

There is serious debate in the field of digital history over the ramifications of digitizing. Obviously there are strong arguments made on both sides, but what is the smartest move? Putting sources online with the vast potential to have millions view it and get involved, or stick to paper format to be used on campus and in libraries only where for the most part preservation is not the most concerning issue. Accessibility vs. Preservation are two theories that are conflicting in the 21st century. Some continuity that I find, whether the best outlet to submit digital history to or preserve it, is through institutions. Due to funding or sustainable resources, digitizing and storing history can be best accomplished through foundations or collegial institutions.

The irony of the new technology age and the availability of presenting history online is that it is changing faster than we know how to manage it. Yes it’s an awesome tool to promote and share history, but at what cost? Are the benefits exceeding the risks? With the damage possibility of CDROMS and the ever changing software of Microsoft from year to year, how can we guarantee priceless information will not be lost in the upgrade process? It’s a tough question, and a scary thought.

As with anything I know there are risks, but there has to be better ways to guarantee preservation outside of institutional guarantees only. The bar has to be set high and the risks have to be low because our work is too important to be lost in the sphere of ever changing technology. We need to stay ahead of the technology gap. But how can we guarantee others will work to stay ahead too?