Data Interconnectivity for Textual and Document Editing Formats via Linked Open Data
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Announces Textual and Word Processing Preservation Plan
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has unveiled a new preservation plan aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of textual records and word processing documents. This plan, known as the Textual and Word Processing Preservation Plan, is a strategic initiative that focuses on identifying and preserving widely used, supported, and sustainable file formats for digital archiving.
The plan encompasses a variety of common and standardized document types, including:
- Plain text files (e.g., .txt)
- Rich Text Format (.rtf)
- Microsoft Word Documents (.doc and .docx)
- OpenDocument Text (.odt)
These formats are chosen for their reliability in representing textual and word processing content. The plan may also include other word processing formats that meet preservation criteria such as format stability, widespread usage, and openness.
In addition to these, the plan also covers some less common formats such as:
- ASCII 7-bit Text files (.txt, NF00113)
- ASCII 8-bit Text files (.txt, NF00114)
- EndNote Import File (.enw and .enr, NF00172)
- XFDL (NF00686)
- XSD (NF00188)
- XML 1.0 (NF00187)
- XML 1.1 (NF00561)
- DTD (NF00162)
- ASCII unspecified version (.asc, NF00846)
These formats are categorized under Textual and Word Processing, Web Records, Software and Code, Structured Data, and other relevant categories. The associated Linked Open Data TTL URLs provide additional information about each format.
It is important to note that DEC WPS Plus files, with file extensions .dx and .wpl, are also included in this plan, with the NARA Format ID NF00156. However, the specific details about these files were not provided in the search results.
This preservation plan is part of the current NARA risk assessment, and it does not claim to be exhaustive or universally applicable. For a comprehensive list of formats officially included in the plan, one should consult NARA's published Digital Preservation Framework documentation or related technical guidance directly from NARA’s website or digital archives documentation.
This initiative underscores NARA's commitment to maintaining the integrity and accessibility of digital records for future generations. By focusing on open and well-documented formats, NARA ensures that these records can be accessed without proprietary software dependencies, promoting transparency and accessibility in the digital archiving process.
[1] For more information, please visit the NARA website: https://www.our website.gov/digital-preservation
Technology plays a significant role in the Textual and Word Processing Preservation Plan by enabling the identification and preservation of digital formats for archiving. This plan, initiated by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), encompasses diverse file formats, including common ones like plain text files, Rich Text Format, Microsoft Word Documents, and OpenDocument Text, as well as less common formats such as ASCII 7-bit Text files, EndNote Import File, XFDL, XSD, XML 1.0, XML 1.1, DTD, and ASCII unspecified version. These formats are categorized under various categories, including Textual and Word Processing, and are open and well-documented to ensure accessibility without proprietary software dependencies.
