title: The Bits In The Bytes: Understanding File Format Identification
creators: Francesca Mackenzie Andrea Hricikova Andrey Kotov Kathryn Phelps
abstract: This workshop will provide practical experience of analyzing digital files to create signatures for format identification. It will build confidence in file-format analysis and develop participants’ understanding of a range of methods that can be applied to different files and content types. We will explore the approaches adopted by the major file format identification tools used by the digital preservation community. During this workshop, attendees will gain hands-on experience in the tools needed to contribute file format research to the open-source registry PRONOM; some participants will be analyzing the digits, or hex, of their files for potentially the first time. As well as being educational, file format identification is a lot of fun!<br />PRONOM as a tool ties in well with the themes of the conference. PRONOM is open source and used across the globe in the information management and digital preservation sectors, and beyond. It embodies the value of data for all and encourages understanding of file formats for future preservation needs.<br />PRONOM particularly embodies the key conference themes of community and exchange. We rely on so many talented file-format researchers around the world to analyze digital collections, flag issues and contribute to our shared knowledge of file formats. We want to continue the conversation with the digital preservation community and enable more people to participate in this collective endeavor.<br />
keywords: collaboration hex community file-formats conversation