Slide Five: Binary Code

Digital information really consists of just binary code (zeros and ones). When these zeros and ones are arranged in particular way, you build digital objects. These objects can be data types, such as video or music, and they can be information about the data types, which is fashionably called "metadata," but which most of know as cataloging information. Information, represented by sequences of zeros and ones, ideally lasts forever. What does not last forever is the medium or material upon which these zeros and ones make their home. There are limitations on how much you can store on a digital medium and how long it will maintain its integrity on that medium. And yet the medium for digital storage may be a red herring. There are very promising storage technologies on the horizon. Table of Contents   Next