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Genealogists use digital storage devices to store genealogical information, including names, dates, places, photographs, historical documents, sources, e-mails, correspondence, family contact information, family videos, and audio recordings. The purpose of this class is to educate genealogists about building digital storage systems, addressing pros and cons of various storage mediums, and solutions for data disaster-recovery. | Genealogists use digital storage devices to store genealogical information, including names, dates, places, photographs, historical documents, sources, e-mails, correspondence, family contact information, family videos, and audio recordings. The purpose of this class is to educate genealogists about building digital storage systems, addressing pros and cons of various storage mediums, and solutions for data disaster-recovery. | ||
== | == Digitization == | ||
Digital is a numeric representation of something physical. Digitization means that a physical item is converted into a series of numbers. That series of numbers is used to recreate a likeness of that item on a computer screen. | Digital is a numeric representation of something physical. Digitization means that a physical item is converted into a series of numbers. That series of numbers is used to recreate a likeness of that item on a computer screen. | ||
=== Examples: === | === Examples: === | ||
*Photograph + Digital camera = Digital image | |||
*Document + Scanner = Digitized document or digital image | |||
*Sound + Digital recorder or converter = Digitized audio | |||
== Pros and Cons of Digital == | |||
Creating a long-term digital storage medium continues to be a challenge for genealogists at every level. Understanding digital processes can help genealogists avoid losing information and help preserve genealogy. | Creating a long-term digital storage medium continues to be a challenge for genealogists at every level. Understanding digital processes can help genealogists avoid losing information and help preserve genealogy. | ||
=== Pros === | === Pros === | ||
Digital storage allows the user to store mass amounts of data in a small space, and allows the users to easily share information with others. Digital items are easily edited, enhanced, or cropped. | Digital storage allows the user to store mass amounts of data in a small space, and allows the users to easily share information with others. Digital items are easily edited, enhanced, or cropped. | ||
=== Cons === | === Cons === | ||
Unlike paper copies, that, when partially damaged may be re-created and are still useable, digital data may only require a minor flaw to render all of the data unusable. Digital data has not been around for centuries like paper, so the effects of time and elements on digital data are not completely understood. | Unlike paper copies, that, when partially damaged may be re-created and are still useable, digital data may only require a minor flaw to render all of the data unusable. Digital data has not been around for centuries like paper, so the effects of time and elements on digital data are not completely understood. | ||
== | == Dynamic and Static == | ||
Storage devices have different uses. Understanding how a storage device works helps the user make important decisions about how it will be used in genealogy. | Storage devices have different uses. Understanding how a storage device works helps the user make important decisions about how it will be used in genealogy. | ||
=== Dynamic Storage === | === Dynamic Storage === | ||
This type of storage device allows the user to work within the storage device, making changes while working within the file, and easily save changes to a file or database. This type of storage device has many advantages for genealogists, allowing one to work within genealogical databases and frequently add, remove, and change information. | This type of storage device allows the user to work within the storage device, making changes while working within the file, and easily save changes to a file or database. This type of storage device has many advantages for genealogists, allowing one to work within genealogical databases and frequently add, remove, and change information. | ||
=== Static Storage === | === Static Storage === | ||
This type of storage device allows the user to save data at a specific point in time and create a non-changing version of the data that may not be easily altered or deleted. <!--{12065494108340} --> | This type of storage device allows the user to save data at a specific point in time and create a non-changing version of the data that may not be easily altered or deleted. <!--{12065494108340} --> | ||
== | == Types of Digital Storage == | ||
There are only three true types of digital storage: magnetic, optical disks, and solid state, although there are several different digital storage devices created from these. | There are only three true types of digital storage: magnetic, optical disks, and solid state, although there are several different digital storage devices created from these. | ||
=== Optical Disks === | === Optical Disks === | ||
''Examples:'' ''CDs, DVDs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, CD+Rs, and Blu-Ray'' | ''Examples:'' ''CDs, DVDs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, CD+Rs, and Blu-Ray'' | ||
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=== Solid State Storage === | === Solid State Storage === | ||
''Examples: Memory cards, flash drives, and internal storage in digital recorders, digital cameras, cell phones, Blackberry devices, PDAs, MP3 players, and iPods.'' | ''Examples: Memory cards, flash drives, and internal storage in digital recorders, digital cameras, cell phones, Blackberry devices, PDAs, MP3 players, and iPods.'' | ||
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=== Magnetic Storage === | === Magnetic Storage === | ||
''Examples: Hard drives (computer hard drives, servers, and external hard drives), floppy disks, and archival magnetic tape (NOT a consumer product).'' | ''Examples: Hard drives (computer hard drives, servers, and external hard drives), floppy disks, and archival magnetic tape (NOT a consumer product).'' | ||
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== DATA DISASTERS == | == DATA DISASTERS == | ||
Preparing for data disasters will also help genealogists preserve information over generations. Being prepared for a data disaster at all times is the best way to avoid one. Examples of data disasters include: | Preparing for data disasters will also help genealogists preserve information over generations. Being prepared for a data disaster at all times is the best way to avoid one. Examples of data disasters include: | ||