Format Conversion Strategies and Format Policy Registry (FPR) Comparison
Comparing various format conversion strategies and their associated preservation targets across multiple file types. The spreadsheet includes details such as Bentley Original Format, Preservation Target, and FPR Group for formats like DOCX, XLSX, and ODT. It also highlights whether each format is acceptable according to the Library of Congress standards. Notable entries include audio formats like WAV and MP3, along with image formats such as JPEG 2000 and PNG, providing a comprehensive overview of preservation strategies.
Content article
The comparison of format conversion strategies and the Format Policy Registry (FPR) encompasses 60 distinct file formats, detailing their preservation targets, categories, and recommended actions.
In the first tier, several widely used document formats are preserved in their original forms. For instance, DOCX files, which are Microsoft Word Open XML documents created in MS Office 2007 and 2010, fall under the Word Processing category with a preservation target of DOCX itself. The same applies to XLSX and PPTX formats for spreadsheets and presentations, respectively, all classified as Tier 1 with the action to "Do nothing." OpenDocument formats, such as ODT, ODS, and ODP, also receive similar treatment, emphasizing their status as Tier 1 formats with the same preservation action.
Plain text files (TXT) and XML files are categorized under Text (Plain) and Text (Markup) respectively, both also classified as Tier 1 and requiring no action for preservation. CSV files, which are essential for data interchange, are similarly preserved in their original format. Audio formats like WAV and JPEG 2000 images are also included in Tier 1, with preservation actions that do not necessitate any changes.
However, the landscape shifts for formats in Tier 2, where older versions of Microsoft Office documents, such as DOC, PPT, and XLS from the 1997-2003 era, are identified as needing further action. These formats are suggested for manual normalization or conversion using tools like LibreOffice, reflecting a more complex preservation strategy. The Adobe Illustrator (AI) format is similarly categorized, indicating a need for potential intervention.
Image formats such as BMP, PSD, PCT, and TGA are flagged as Tier 2, with a common recommendation to convert them to TIFF, which is recognized as a more stable preservation format. Audio files like WMA and various video formats, including SWF and FLV, are also noted for their need for conversion to more universally accepted formats like MP4 or Generic MKV.
As the focus shifts to audio formats, several, including AIFF, MP3, and various MPEG formats, are identified for replacement with a preferred format of Waveform Audio or Generic MKV, highlighting the necessity of maintaining compatibility and accessibility in archiving practices. The TIFF format remains a consistent choice for image preservation across multiple file types, reinforcing its status as a reliable archival format.
The FPR also notes specific actions for less common formats like RA, SND, and AU, all categorized under audio and requiring the creation of new rules for their preservation. This highlights the ongoing need to adapt preservation strategies to encompass a broader range of file types as technology evolves.