Bridging the Digital Divide: Approach to Documenting Early Computing Artifacts Using Established Standards for Cross-Collection Knowledge Integration Ontology

TL;DR

This paper explores using the CIDOC CRM ontology to improve documentation and integration of early digital artifacts in archives, facilitating community-led heritage projects.

Contribution

It demonstrates the applicability of CIDOC CRM for categorizing digital artifacts, enabling better cross-collection knowledge integration in digital heritage.

Findings

CIDOC CRM is suitable for digital artifact categorization

Community input highlights archival challenges

Ontology supports heritage project empowerment

Abstract

In this paper we address the challenges of documenting early digital artifacts in collections built to offer historical context for future generations. Through insights from active community members (N=20), we examine current archival needs and obstacles. We assess the potential of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) for categorizing fragmented digital data. Despite its complexity, CIDOC-CRM proves logical, human-readable, and adaptable, enabling archivists to select minimal yet effective building blocks set to empower community-led heritage projects.