Registration is now open for three important DPC events in June this year. By popular request we have combined these events with our quarterly Board Meeting and they will take place on consecutive days at the Guildhall in York, making the travel a little more worthwhile for those members coming from further afield.
Firstly, the Chair of the DPC cordially invites members to send delegates to York for 'Connecting the Bits', our annual unconference on Wednesday 22nd June. Connecting the Bits is a day-long networking and planning event designed to help members keep in touch with each other and with the state of the art in digital preservation. This year we're taking over the historic Guildhall in York for an "unconference style" day of knowledge exchange on digital preservation challenges. The unconference format is like a conference except there is no pre-determined theme or programme: the agenda is generated by participants in the morning, then delivered in the afternoon. This format privileges debate and discussion, and it ensures that anyone with a burning issue or success story has a chance to share it. Because members set the agenda, it gives you a strong opportunity to steer the Coalition's programme for 2016 and 2017. Because it's closed to members, participants can speak candidly and openly about successes, failures, plans and threats. Last year's capacity event was a great success, with participants praising the relaxed but highly informative atmosphere. With the continuing momentum of a growing membership we've every reason to expect that 'Connecting the Bits' 2016 will be another great opportunity to build an ever-stronger platform for co-operation and collaboration between participants.
Click for more information and to register for this event
The following day, Thursday 23rd June, will be dedicated to the subject of file formats in our specialist Briefing Day entitled 'Re:Format - What is file format obsolescence and does it really exist?’ Digital preservation literature identifies file format obsolescence as one of the main threats, if not *the* threat, to the longevity of our digital data. But many are now challenging this position. So what exactly is file format obsolescence and does it really exist? This briefing day will gatecrash the confusing world of file formats, it will separate the reality from the dogma, and it will focus our minds on the real digital preservation challenges we are facing.
Participants at the workshop will:
- Gain an understanding of what a file format is, and what really defines it
- Begin to unpick the complex picture of file format obsolescence
- Better understand the risks faced by digital materials over the long term
- Discuss where our energies would be best focused in addressing digital preservation issues
Click for more information and to register for this event
If that's not enough, on the evening of the 22nd June we will be holding a drinks reception to celebrate the launch of the latest edition of the Digital Preservation Handbook. Remember to let us know if you would like to join us when you register for 'Connecting the Bits' and 'Re:Format.'