4.2 Bit-level preservation and fixity checking

Bit-level preservation is the foundation of digital art conservation. It keeps the original binary sequence intact, ensuring the artwork remains unchanged over time. This method is crucial for complex digital pieces where even tiny alterations can drastically impact the work's behavior or appearance.

Fixity checking is a key tool in bit-level preservation. It uses hash functions to create digital fingerprints of files, allowing conservators to detect any changes or corruption. Regular checks and advanced techniques help maintain the integrity of digital artworks throughout their lifecycle.

Bit-level Preservation for Digital Art

Fundamentals of Bit-level Preservation

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• Bit-level preservation maintains the exact binary sequence of digital files
• Prevents alterations at the most fundamental level of digital information
• Ensures integrity of digital artworks by keeping them unchanged and uncorrupted over time
• Maintains original form and function as intended by the artist
• Guarantees authenticity by preserving a true and accurate representation of the original artwork
  • Includes content, context, and provenance

Importance for Complex Digital Artworks

• Crucial for time-based media, interactive artworks, and complex digital installations
• Minor alterations can significantly impact artwork's behavior or appearance
• Preserves exact bit sequence for future migration, emulation, or reinterpretation
  • Allows for preservation without loss of original data or artistic intent
• Serves as foundation for more complex preservation strategies
• Enables conservators to return to original, unaltered files if needed

Detecting Data Corruption in Digital Art

Fixity Checking Methods

• Utilizes cryptographic hash functions to create unique digital fingerprints (checksums) of files
• Verifies file integrity over time
• Common algorithms include MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256
  • SHA-256 most secure and recommended for long-term digital preservation
• Regular fixity checks detect changes or corruption during storage or transfer
• Automated tools and scripts verify large collections of digital artworks
  • Alert preservationists to discrepancies
• Store fixity information separately from digital art files
  • Prevents simultaneous corruption of artwork and checksum

Advanced Fixity Checking Techniques

• Implement block-level fixity checking for large files or complex digital artworks
  • Pinpoints specific areas of corruption
• Integrate fixity checking into all file transfer and migration processes
• Ensures integrity of digital artworks throughout their lifecycle
• Combine file-level and block-level checksums for comprehensive integrity monitoring
• Implement periodic re-hashing of files to detect slow degradation or bit rot
• Use cryptographically secure random number generators for creating unique file identifiers

Redundant Copies for Digital Art Preservation

Redundancy Strategies

• Create multiple copies of artworks to mitigate risks (hardware failure, natural disasters, human error)
• Follow 3-2-1 backup rule
  • Maintain at least three copies of data
  • Store on two different types of media
  • Keep one copy offsite
• Use reliable storage media (enterprise-grade hard drives, solid-state drives, magnetic tape (LTO), cloud storage)
• Implement geographic dispersal of copies
  • Reduces risk of simultaneous loss due to localized events
  • Consider political stability, climate, and infrastructure reliability of storage locations

Managing Redundant Copies

• Perform regular integrity checks on all copies
• Conduct periodic refreshment of storage media
• Implement synchronization and version control systems
  • Manage multiple copies
  • Track intentional changes or updates to preserved artworks
• Consider cloud storage solutions for additional redundancy and geographic dispersal
  • Evaluate security, access controls, and long-term viability of service provider
• Implement automated replication and verification processes across storage locations
• Establish clear protocols for updating and synchronizing redundant copies

Best Practices for Digital Art Preservation

Documentation and Metadata

• Develop comprehensive documentation for each digital artwork
  • Include technical specifications, dependencies, and preservation intent
  • Guides future conservation efforts
• Implement robust metadata schema
  • Capture essential information about artwork creation, provenance, and preservation history
• Use standardized metadata formats (Dublin Core, PREMIS)
• Create detailed conservation reports for all preservation actions
• Document artist interviews and intentions for artwork presentation and preservation

Technical Preservation Strategies

• Implement strict access controls and permissions
  • Prevent unauthorized modifications to preserved digital art files
  • Ensure accountability for changes
• Establish regular schedule for media refreshment and format migration
  • Addresses technological obsolescence and storage media degradation
• Utilize standardized and widely supported file formats for long-term preservation
  • Consider fidelity to original artwork and future accessibility
• Develop and regularly test disaster recovery plans
  • Ensures quick and effective response to potential data loss scenarios
• Implement secure digital signatures to verify authenticity of preserved files