[Moims-dai] Suggested text for "Preservation Objectives" concept.

[John Garrett]

Hi,

 

I generally agree with Don's analysis of the situation.  

 

The primary thing I disagree with is Don's interpretation that for example a
music recording is not understandable in any normal sense and is therefore
incompatible with mandatory requirement #4 and OAIS archives.  My
understanding of what "understand" a musical recording is that I can
play/use that recording.  I think the same could be said of any type of
"art".  What does it mean to understand an of (or an original) painting?
And does that definition of understand change when you're viewing a Rubens
vs. a Fra Angelico vs. Van Gogh vs. a Picasso vs. a Rothko, etc?

 

I would also disagree his discussion of copyrighted works that do not allow
changes.  I think MR#4 and OAIS Archives appropriately include and address
them also.  I think in many if not most cases you may not want to make
changes to the original work even in the long-term.  That does not mean that
additional "metadata" can't be added to address the need to continue to
understand that item.

 

I definitely agree with Don that the Independently Understandable
requirement exists not only at deposit time but is a continually evaluated
requirement.  

 

One new view I'd add at this point.  I think one problem is that in the
updates we are emphasizing use by client systems too much.  And we are
viewing client systems as actors completely separated from the actual
persons they are acting for.  "Client system" is only used 4 times in OAIS
in definition/text describing Consumers and Producers.

 

For example:

Producer:  The role played by those persons or client systems that provide
the information to be preserved.  This can include internal or external OAIS
persons or systems.

I suggest we change to:

Producer:  The role played by those persons, or client systems acting for
those persons, that provide the information to be preserved.  This can
include internal or external OAIS persons or systems.

 

I think adding this phrase in the 4 spots will allow us to no longer have to
have discussions about systems not being able to understand.

I also think this helps to keep the distinction between that OAIS is
interested primarily in preservation of the information and is less
interested in access and tools for use of the information.  Access and use
is certainly important for archives, but is not the primary focus of an
OAIS. New tools can be developed to support access and use of information if
it is preserved and understood, but the information will not be accessed if
it isn't there any more because it wasn't preserved.

 

We can discuss this more at DAI webex later today.  

 

 

Peace and joy,

-JOhn

 

From: MOIMS-DAI [mailto:moims-dai-bounces at mailman.ccsds.org] On Behalf Of D
or C Sawyer
Sent: Monday, August 7, 2017 3:18 AM
To: MOIMS DAI List <moims-dai at mailman.ccsds.org>
Subject: Re: [Moims-dai] Suggested text for "Preservation Objectives"
concept.

 

All,

 

I've generated a short document that details my conclusions, both positive
and negative, along with my analysis leading to my conclusions.  I'm not
comfortable with the approach that mixes 'understand' with 'use', as I
discuss.

 

Cheers-

Don

 

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