Comments on: Digital Microfilm http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/2008/10/15/digital-microfilm/ Failing better at understanding the past Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:50:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gavin Robinson http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/2008/10/15/digital-microfilm/comment-page-1/#comment-14147 Gavin Robinson Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:24:30 +0000 http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/?p=548#comment-14147 I got the impression from a survey that they sent out to DocumentsOnline users that they're thinking of allowing users to upload their own digital images, but that's not quite the same thing, and I don't know if they'll go through with it or if they'll charge for access to those images. The survey also suggested that they're thinking of moving to a subscription model instead of pay per download. What would be really good is if they waived copyright and licence conditions on document images for non-commercial use. Currently the ban on third parties publishing images of PRO documents without getting special permission and paying a fee is holding back a lot of exciting things. If they did away with that I'd be quite happy to upload document images to my webspace or Flickr account, and it wouldn't cost the government anything. The loss of revenue would only be hypothetical because given the choice between paying £35 or more per image per month and not publishing, obviously I'm not going to publish. I got the impression from a survey that they sent out to DocumentsOnline users that they’re thinking of allowing users to upload their own digital images, but that’s not quite the same thing, and I don’t know if they’ll go through with it or if they’ll charge for access to those images. The survey also suggested that they’re thinking of moving to a subscription model instead of pay per download.

What would be really good is if they waived copyright and licence conditions on document images for non-commercial use. Currently the ban on third parties publishing images of PRO documents without getting special permission and paying a fee is holding back a lot of exciting things. If they did away with that I’d be quite happy to upload document images to my webspace or Flickr account, and it wouldn’t cost the government anything. The loss of revenue would only be hypothetical because given the choice between paying £35 or more per image per month and not publishing, obviously I’m not going to publish.

]]> By: Brett http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/2008/10/15/digital-microfilm/comment-page-1/#comment-14146 Brett Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:14:42 +0000 http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/?p=548#comment-14146 That's truly excellent news! But it reminds me of something I've wondered for a while. I've purchased digitised copies of TNA documents (I presume originals, not microfilms) before: why not make those copies available on the web to other users? After all, the cost of digitisation has been paid for (by me). Maybe it would be too piecemeal to bother modifying the online catalogue to incorporate images in this way, and they'd rather do it en masse when funds became available. But this project shows that they are taking big steps in the right direction. That’s truly excellent news! But it reminds me of something I’ve wondered for a while. I’ve purchased digitised copies of TNA documents (I presume originals, not microfilms) before: why not make those copies available on the web to other users? After all, the cost of digitisation has been paid for (by me). Maybe it would be too piecemeal to bother modifying the online catalogue to incorporate images in this way, and they’d rather do it en masse when funds became available. But this project shows that they are taking big steps in the right direction.

]]> By: Annette http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/2008/10/15/digital-microfilm/comment-page-1/#comment-14145 Annette Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:36:37 +0000 http://www.investigations.4-lom.com/?p=548#comment-14145 The ability to create digital copies of microfilm was implemented by my office early in the summer. It has increased our response time to requestors, and decreased our paper and toner consumption. As we digitize the materials (currently only as the requests are received), we are databasing the materials for future use and reference. I loved that you brought this small (but huge) technological advance up in your blog! The ability to create digital copies of microfilm was implemented by my office early in the summer. It has increased our response time to requestors, and decreased our paper and toner consumption. As we digitize the materials (currently only as the requests are received), we are databasing the materials for future use and reference. I loved that you brought this small (but huge) technological advance up in your blog!

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