Hello folks,
I thought this might be useful to pass on - apologies for cross-posting.
This new service from the National Archives (formerly the PRO) allows you to
find details of obscure file extensions and the software that can read /
create them. Useful for anyone who has to deal with old data. They are open
to suggestions of other specialist file formats to expand the resource.
Ed
English Heritage
Data Standards Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Digital Archive [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 27 January 2004 17:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PRONOM - a new service for 2004
> The National Archives is pleased to announce that the PRONOM system is now
> available on the internet at http://www.records.pro.gov.uk/pronom.
>
> PRONOM is a database of information about the technical dependencies upon
> which access to electronic records may rely. It contains information about
> the file formats in which electronic records may be stored, the software
> products required to create, render and migrate these formats, and the
> vendors who develop these products. It includes product support life cycle
> information, to facilitate technology watch within digital archives. The
> PRONOM database can be searched online, and reports produced in a variety
> of formats. The system currently holds details of c. 550 file formats, 250
> software products, and 100 vendors, and records are being added on a
> regular basis. We also actively encourage the submission of new
> information for inclusion on PRONOM, and an online submission form is
> provided for this purpose. The website also includes details of our plans
> for significant future developments to both the content and the
> functionality of the system.
>
> PRONOM was developed by The National Archives' Digital Preservation
> Department, as a tool to support TNA's own digital archive. However, we
> hope and anticipate that PRONOM will also provide a valuable resource for
> the wider digital preservation community. As such, we very much welcome
> feedback on both the current version of PRONOM and our future plans. All
> feedback should be sent to: [log in to unmask]
>
With apologies for cross-posting
