Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
response to the need for greater strategic harmony in the infrastructure
that supports public sector digitization. Yet, as a community interested
in continuing to explore what digitization can offer, we need to be
careful not to instil too much order. While 'anarchy' may be too strong
a term, a good dose of breaking established rules and practices will be
an integral part of keeping digital content invigorated, helping to reach
out to diverse audiences on a global level.
It is worth remembering that earlier digitization programmes were
not entirely without a sense of order. Applicants to the AHRC's
Resource Enhancement scheme were obliged to fill out a technical
appendix which asked for specific information about the technical
standards to be used. Those aiming to use proprietary formats (e.g.
creating master files in PDF or Microsoft Word) or planning to digitize
at an insufficient standard (e.g. photographs as low-resolution JPGs)
were asked to rewrite plans to adopt a more open standards approach.
Similarly, projects involved in the NOF-digi programme underwent
accessibility tests to ensure that their data and websites were being
created in accordance with a long list of guidelines developed as part of
the programme.
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Such an approach undoubtedly had considerable benefits. Data were
captured in platform-neutral formats, thus minimizing the chance of
images and text becoming trapped in dated software. Websites were
presented in a way that did not block access to those who utilized
browsers other than the familiar Microsoft Internet Explorer.
But there were drawbacks as well. Such control, particularly in the
NOF-digi programme, demanded excessive documentation. More
importantly, it placed partial restrictions on those wishing to undertake
innovative work and exploit formats that did not fall into the 'canon of
openness'.
Barriers to the diffusion of digitized content
But since then there has been much discussion as to the extent to which
digitization projects should capture and deliver their data within rigid
boundaries. As standards guru Brian Kelly in the UK has documented,
an emphasis on standards is to be applauded, but overemphasis ignores
the limitations of such a framework (Kelly, Guy and Dunning, 2007).
Open standards can be costly, not mature or, as perhaps happens most
