ABSTRACT
for documents, artifacts, or information to be usable in a computational environment, it must be in digital format. Turning analog materials into digital files requires remediation through scanning, photography, keyboarding, or other means of copying recordings into new formats. Decisions made about the file formats in which the remediation takes place will have consequences for use and sustainability. Born-digital materials are subject to the same considerations. Understanding file formats is essential for research as well as preservation and re-use. Some fundamental terminology about the distinction between lossless and lossy, proprietary and open-source formats is essential knowledge for creating digital resources.
