Structured Glossary of Technical Terms

Introduction

This document is offered as a structured glossary of terms associated with the technologies of document preservation, with particular emphasis on document media conversion technologies (often called "reformatting technologies''), [1] and even more particularly on the use of digital computer technologies. The Glossary also considers technologies associated with access to such preserved documents. Such a glossary is intended for communication among people of different professional backgrounds, especially since in recent years there has been a proliferation of such technologies and associated technical terms, technologies and terms that cut across many disciplines.

The use of digital technologies, however, has implications for libraries that extend far beyond the boundaries of preservation and of access to preserved materials. Some of these implications are summarized in the following discussion of "The Impact of Digital Technologies," and are indicated throughout the Glossary. Thus this Glossary may serve a wider purpose than the title itself would imply.