NDSA:PDF Exploration
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Title of Activity or Project
NDSA PDF/A-3 Scoping Project
One Sentence Description:
NDSA PDF/A-3 Scoping Project working group members will research the pros and cons of using the PDF/A-3 standard as an all-purpose wrapper for various digital asset/media types including: textual, audio, video, photo, and GIS data.
Statement of the Problem and Goals for Addressing the Problem:
It is unclear whether PDF/A-3, which was designed to accommodate supplementary media files for text documents, is appropriate as a de facto normalization wrapper format for all media types. The goal is to develop guidelines for the appropriate use of PDF/A-3 with respect to different media types that includes both detailed technical information and a practical quick reference guide for end-users.
Strategic Value of Activity:
- Improve understanding of best practices for using PDF/A-3 in digital preservation activities
- Enhance consistency and improve long-term viability of digitally preserved content
- Provide guidance to those considering PDF/A-3 as a long-term archiving format
Required Resources:
What's needed for this activity to proceed? Examples:
- Time of working group members
- External reviewers
- Specialized skills or tools
Required Resources:
What's needed for this activity to proceed? Examples:
- Time of working group members
- Specialized skills or tools
Roadmap:
What are the steps to take in order to accomplish this activity? Examples:
- Hold conference calls
- Draft document and review
- Invite member feedback
- Revise document
Dissemination of Knowledge:
How will this activity be shared? Examples:
- Publish report on digitalpreservation.gov
- Write a blog post
- Send announcements to listservs
- Present at conferences that members are attending
Signifiers of Success and Outcomes:
List the indications that this activity has been successfully accomplished: A report, a completed survey, etc.
Also list the larger goals for the product of the activity: i.e. the product is referred to by others, the product influences decision making for member organizations, etc.