Choosing an image file format for storing original photographs and scansraises a number of major fundamental issues including most importantly,the survivability of the format in the long term. The most recent issueof the Family Treemagazine has an article on Endangered Sources by Lisa A. Alzo. The article identifies various categories ofpublic and private records that could be lost over time. One obvioussolution, and a solution becoming overwhelmingly popular, is to digitizethe paper records. But we are also faced with the same issues of lossthrough digital formats becoming obsolete. This can happen eitherbecause the file format is no longer supported and newer software doesnot recognize the format, or more obviously through hardwareobsolescence. For example, try and find a machine to read recording tapeon reels, i.e. a reel to reel tape recorder. They may be stillavailable but you would likely have to buy a used machine categorizedunder vintage electronics.
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