Discovering the Lost Proposal for the World Wide Web
In a fascinating journey into internet history, British software engineer John Graham-Cumming recently attempted to open the original proposal for the World Wide Web, written by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. Surprisingly, modern versions of Microsoft Word and Apple’s Pages failed to open the file. Graham-Cumming detailed his struggle in a captivating blog post. Luckily, the open-source word processor LibreOffice managed to partially unlock the document, albeit with messy formatting. Ultimately, a PDF version exported by CERN in 1998 was the only viable way to view the document in its original form from 1989.
The incident raises concerns about preserving vital historical documents in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Lance Stuchell, director of digital preservation services at the University of Michigan, sheds light on the challenges faced by digital archivists and offers invaluable insights into safeguarding digital files for the future.
In an era where digital obsolescence looms large, Stuchell emphasizes the importance of using open formats to ensure long-term accessibility of files. He warns against reliance on proprietary file formats that may become unreadable with software updates over time.
Preserving Digital Documents: Tips from an Expert
Stuchell recommends exporting important documents to PDF/A, an open standard designed for long-term archiving. By encapsulating all necessary information within the file, including fonts used, PDF/A ensures future accessibility across various software platforms. Leading software like Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, and Adobe Acrobat support exporting to PDF/A, making it a convenient choice for archival purposes.