*This article is adapted from pre-existing resources located on the Digitization Knowledge Base

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Introduction

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The following information is about how to store backups securely and getting to know what bit rot is.

The title of this article is also slightly misleading.

Bit rot is natural. Even though it might not seem like it, data can rot just like a log over time. It is an occurrence that language team workers must account for in their assets management. In the following modules, you will come to learn how to better prepare for bit rot, make, and then store backups to restore data that undergoes corruption.

When data corruption or bit rot occurs with your files, restoring these files with backups will relieve you of extra work in re-recording any missing or corrupted audio. Especially if you are unable to work with the same Elders or language speakers, having backups ensures that you can continue on these legacies and keep speakers’ voices on your language site for generations to come.

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What is Bit Rot?

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Simply, bit rot is data degradation or  or the process of data decay as a result of slowly accruing errors/issues. In a file's lifetime, changes in their bits (tiny amounts of data), importing, exporting, their physical and electronic containment, and even electric charges will slowly alter the information within. When these changes accrue to a point where you can no longer use or open the file, then the file is corrupted.

Many models and new tools for project members to use are working with new internal processes to prolong the lives of files and detect errors that might indicate data corruption. However, you still need to be aware of it and how it can occur with your data.

Certain decisions can reduce the environments and scenarios for bit rot to occur.

In this module, you will will conceptualize and dive into what bit rot looks like for  for your data and materials.Image Removed

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The image above is also featured as an interactive diagram in the lesson on bit rot in the related module.

Here, you can visualize the forces that might damage or make your data apple slightly  slightly less appealing. There are concerns of of thermal insulation, magnetic orientation issues, decomposition and  and containment errors, and even even biological hazards when  when it comes to securing your data and heritage materials.

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Within the module, there are also also suggestions on how to address bit rot when it surfaces in your collections.

In general the single best remedy for bit rot is to to prepare backups to  to be used to replace corrupted or changed files.

Another tool in your repertoire to aid in the fight against bit rot are are checksums.

Checksums are bits of data that attach to files that detect slight changes in the contents and internal structure. They can be used to clue you into when bit rot might be occurring in entries and recordings before they become unusable. For more information on embedding checksums onto your WAV files, please see this link to FV Checksum Article (once published) Embed checksums using BWF MetaEdit.

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Why is It Important to a FirstVoices Project?

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If backups are the single best method to address bit rot, then you need to come up with a strategy to store and make sure your backups are accessible, findable, and usable later.

A backup is a copy of stored data that is saved in multiple locations and later used to restore lost or corrupted data.

How you manage and create your backups varies. Workflow, human capacity, technical capacity, and storage space are huge factors that influence how you prepare and bundle these resources for use.

Preparing your Backups

Backups can either be done done manually (by a team member every so often) or  or automatically (through a computer program). The more data and files you are wanting to back up, the more likely that automatic backups are better for your workflow.

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Programs that will expediate and help you make backups quickly on your computer include:

• Fbackup: a free open-source, backup software with an easy to use interface

• Areca: a free open-source, backup software for Windows and Linux

• The archiving program you are already using: check your settings and the features if automated backups are available!

When looking for a software program to help you back up your data, there are many free open-source options from which to choose. Reliable backup software should act as an easy-to-use facilitator of information and tool.

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Some guiding questions before thinking about storage strategies include:

• Is

  your labeling and 

  your labeling and naming system

   consistent

   consistent across documents and files?

• Are your

  folders 

  folders easy to navigate

   through

   through in the backups?

It is important to keep in mind who is going to be restoring backups and how long these backups will exist before being updated. If you leave the organization or pass on your responsibilities to another, it will be important to leave a guide or make your internal information structure (e.g. file naming and organization) inside your backups understandable for the next person.

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One (non-interactive) image example is below:Image Removed

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Some key points to remember in any given scenario and backup strategy are:

• You will not be able to 100% prevent bit rot, only lessen and anticipate its effects

• Backups must be

   stored

   stored in multiple locations to be useful

   and

   and to be considered true backups

• The 

  The format how

   and 

   and location where you store your backups should not damage

   or

   or have long-term effects on the contents within

Within this lesson, you will will be presented with more backup scenarios like the one above and and, at the end, be able to to decide which one is the most feasible, useful, and secure for  for storing backups.

Ultimately, combining storage devices that both are easy-to-use to transfer information between FirstVoices team members and are stable for long-term storage is recommended in whatever your backup strategy turns out to be. Your backup strategy is also likely to change too. It all depends on your current workflow and capacity.

For a detailed discussion about these topics that also makes use of the educational materials showcased within the module, please also find the March 2021 DiGI Webinar with the topic, Backups & Bit Rot, here: Join or watch Digitization Webinars.