Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

Bridging the Digital Divide: Approach to Documenting Early Computing Artifacts Using Established Standards for Cross-Collection Knowledge Integration Ontology

Maciej Grzeszczuk, Kinga Skorupska, Grzegorz Marcin Wojcik

TL;DR

This paper investigates documenting early computing artifacts in volunteer-driven archives using CIDOC-CRM to enable cross-collection knowledge integration. It relies on a survey of 20 enthusiasts to identify archival needs and practices, and demonstrates CIDOC-CRM's usefulness despite its complexity by presenting two practical modeling cases (audio cassette processing and digitization). The authors argue that a minimal, modular set of building blocks can empower community-led heritage projects while preserving accountability and interoperability with other ontologies. The study highlights the value of standardized, machine-readable metadata for sustaining access to digital heritage and guiding future extensions.

Abstract

In this paper we address the challenges of documenting early digital artifacts in collections built to offer historical context for future generations. Through insights from active community members (N=20), we examine current archival needs and obstacles. We assess the potential of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) for categorizing fragmented digital data. Despite its complexity, CIDOC-CRM proves logical, human-readable, and adaptable, enabling archivists to select minimal yet effective building blocks set to empower community-led heritage projects.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Approach to Documenting Early Computing Artifacts Using Established Standards for Cross-Collection Knowledge Integration Ontology

TL;DR

This paper investigates documenting early computing artifacts in volunteer-driven archives using CIDOC-CRM to enable cross-collection knowledge integration. It relies on a survey of 20 enthusiasts to identify archival needs and practices, and demonstrates CIDOC-CRM's usefulness despite its complexity by presenting two practical modeling cases (audio cassette processing and digitization). The authors argue that a minimal, modular set of building blocks can empower community-led heritage projects while preserving accountability and interoperability with other ontologies. The study highlights the value of standardized, machine-readable metadata for sustaining access to digital heritage and guiding future extensions.

Abstract

In this paper we address the challenges of documenting early digital artifacts in collections built to offer historical context for future generations. Through insights from active community members (N=20), we examine current archival needs and obstacles. We assess the potential of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) for categorizing fragmented digital data. Despite its complexity, CIDOC-CRM proves logical, human-readable, and adaptable, enabling archivists to select minimal yet effective building blocks set to empower community-led heritage projects.
Paper Structure (11 sections, 2 figures, 1 table)

This paper contains 11 sections, 2 figures, 1 table.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Community of Users and Archivists
  3. The Challenges of Volunteer Preservation
  4. The Practice and Theory of Documenting Collections
  5. Application of CIDOC-CRM
  6. Initial Processing of new Audio Cassette
  7. Documenting the Digitizing Process
  8. Limitations and Future Work
  9. Discussion and Conclusion
  10. Acknowledgments.
  11. Disclosure of Interests.

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: CIDOC-CRM v7.3 representation of a cassette tape, forming a set together with its accompanying covers and additional material.
  • Figure 2: CIDOC-CRM v7.3 class structure for products of tape digitization and photo documentation. Redundant objects removed for clarity.