Technology and Preservationists:

The whole array of emerging information management technologies
offer unique opportunities to revolutionize cultural resource
management.  Preservationists must begin to view their needs from
a better informed technological perspective.  In understanding
the potential for resolving needs through advanced tools and
techniques, the articulation of appropriate preservation
applications can begin to drive the development of accessible,
cost effective tools and methodologies for preservation
information management.  In the assembly of a knowledge system,
it is important to keep the appearance of the technology simple
and user friendly.  The specter of technological intimidation can
result in user rejection, particularly by those users of minimal
electronic sophistication.  Preservation professionals must learn
how to mold complex technologies into accessible, application
tailored tools and methodologies.  Above all, they must assist
system developers in making the technologies of the hardware and
software configuration comprehensible.  The complex structure of
the system, the hierarchies, and the links between information
fields must be transparent to (and hidden from) the user, for it
is the degree to which the end user finds the operation, setup,
and maintenance of the information system simple and straight
forward that determines the utility and success of its
application.   

<efile11>   Integrated Preservation Information Systems
<efile21>   Interactivity
<dfile89>   PC-Hypertext: Users
<ffile17>   Active/Reactive Postures