WORKSHOP 4: Searching For A Signature: A File Format Identification Workshop
Tracks
Rongomātāne B
Monday, November 3, 2025 |
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
Rongomātāne B |
Speaker
Mr David Clipsham
File Format Analyst
Preservica
Searching For A Signature: A File Format Identification Workshop
Summary Abstract
File format identification is generally accepted as a key digital preservation activity as it enables preservation practitioners to understand, manage, and mitigate format-related risks and challenges.
This foundational workshop will explore the concepts and practical approaches to file format identification.
The workshop assumes no prior knowledge or experience of file format identification, and aims to cater to different learning styles with a selection of interactive activities.
This foundational workshop will explore the concepts and practical approaches to file format identification.
The workshop assumes no prior knowledge or experience of file format identification, and aims to cater to different learning styles with a selection of interactive activities.
Biography
David Clipsham is the File Format Analyst at Preservica, supporting system users in overcoming their file format-related challenges. He previously worked at The National Archives (UK), where among many roles, he spear-headed PRONOM file format research for around 10 years.
Tyler Thorsted is the Digital Preservation Manager for Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He enjoys file format research and has been creating signatures for PRONOM since attending the file format workshop at iPres 2018 in Boston. He specializes in Macintosh based format identification.
Ross Spencer is a long-standing contributor to the digital preservation community, facilitating and enhancing processes for file format signature development through the creation of tools such as the PRONOM signature development utility and the skeleton test suite. He has written extensively on file format analysis for The National Archives, UK; Archives New Zealand, The Open Preservation Foundation; and on his own platforms.
Dr Sonia Ranade is Head of Digital Archiving at The National Archives (UK). She is interested in service automation, developing archival theory and practice for the digital age and in probabilistic approaches to describing, enriching and linking archival data.
