Editing Digitization (section)

==Digitization versus digital preservation==
{{main|Digital preservation}}
Digitizing something is not the same as digitally preserving it.<ref name=":132"/> To digitize something is to create a digital surrogate (copy or format) of an existing analog item (book, photograph, or record) and is often described as converting it from analog to digital, however both copies remain.<ref name="Bloomberg"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of Digitization - Gartner Information Technology Glossary |url=https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/digitization |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Gartner |language=en}}</ref> An example would be scanning a photograph and having the original piece in a photo album and a digital copy saved to a computer. This is essentially the first step in digital preservation which is to maintain the digital copy over a long period of time and making sure it remains authentic and accessible.<ref>Ross, S. (2000). ''Changing trains at Wigan: Digital Preservation and the future of scholarship (1st ed.)''. National Preservation Office (British Library). Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/31869566_Changing_Trains_at_Wigan_Digital_Preservation_and_the_Future_of_Scholarship</ref><ref name=":132"/><ref name=":192"/>

Digitization is done once with the technology currently available, while digital preservation is more complicated because technology changes so quickly that a once popular storage format may become obsolete before it breaks.<ref name=":192" /> An example is a 5 1/4" floppy drive, computers are no longer made with them and obtaining the hardware to convert a file stored on 5 1/4" floppy disc can be expensive. To combat this risk, equipment must be upgraded as newer technology becomes affordable (about 2 to 5 years), but before older technology becomes unobtainable (about 5 to 10 years).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fundamentals of AV Preservation - Chapter 4 |url=https://www.nedcc.org/fundamentals-of-av-preservation-textbook/chapter-4-introduction/chapter-4-section-6 |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Northeast Document Conservation Center |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":192" />

Digital preservation can also apply to born-digital material, such as a Microsoft Word document or a social media post.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SAA Dictionary: born digital |url=https://dictionary.archivists.org/entry/born-digital.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=dictionary.archivists.org}}</ref> In contrast, digitization only applies exclusively to analog materials. Born-digital materials present a unique challenge to digital preservation not only due to technological obsolescence but also because of the inherently unstable nature of digital storage and maintenance.<ref name=":192" /> Most websites last between 2.5 and 5 years, depending on the purpose for which they were designed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crestodina |first=Andy |date=2017-04-25 |title=What is the average website lifespan? 10 Factors In Website Life Expectancy |url=https://www.orbitmedia.com/blog/website-lifespan-and-you/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Orbit Media Studios |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Library of Congress provides numerous resources and tips for individuals looking to practice digitization and digital preservation for their personal collections.<ref>Library of Congress. (n.d.). ''Digital preservation''. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.digitalpreservation.gov/</ref>