Format Support Policy

The University Libraries will use standard data management practices to protect the items stored in DigitalCommons@UConn. The database will be backed up regularly and will be kept secure against unauthorized deletion or modification.

The University Libraries will take all possible steps to assure continuing access to items deposited in DigitalCommons@UConn. Every item deposited will remain retrievable from the repository. However, computer files depend on the availability of the appropriate software to render the functions and appearance intended by the file’s creator; over time older software applications may no longer function on new computer platforms, leaving the files created with those applications inoperable. The level of access that the Libraries can assure to items stored in DigitalCommons@UConn may therefore range from preservation of the full functionality and appearance of the original file to preservation of the mere bit stream with no assurance that the file’s original functionality or appearance can be recreated.

In general, files created with open or non-proprietary software offer the greatest likelihood that their functionality and appearance can continued to be rendered as computer environments change. Faculty and other creators of digital content are urged to carefully consider the implications of choosing one or another file format or software application, and to balance the importance of the functions provided by a software application against the importance of being able to preserve those functions over a period of years or decades.

The Libraries identify three levels of assurance for the continuing operability of digital files in DigitalCommons@UConn:

  • Supported: we support this format. There is a high likelihood that its content, appearance, and functions will be preserved over time.
  • Known: we recognize this format but cannot guarantee its support over time.
  • Not Supported: we do not recognize this format. At best, the bit stream will be preserved but not appearance or functionality.
Format Support Levels top
Name Extensions MIME Type Support Level
Unknown application/octet-stream unknown
Adobe PDF pdf application/pdf supported
XML xml text/xml supported
Text txt, asc text/plain supported
HTML htm, html text/html supported
Microsoft Word doc application/msword known
Microsoft Powerpoint ppt application/vnd.ms-powerpoint known
Microsoft Excel xls application/vnd.ms-excel known
MARC application/marc supported
JPEG jpeg, jpg image/jpeg supported
GIF gif image/gif supported
PNG png image/png supported
TIFF tiff, tif image/tiff supported
AIFF aiff, aif, aifc, iff audio/x-aiff supported
audio/basic au, snd audio/basic known
WAV wav audio/x-wav known
MPEG mpeg, mpg, mpe video/mpeg known
RTF rtf, rtx text/richtext supported
Microsoft Visio vsd application/vnd.visio known
FMP3 fm application/x-filemaker known
BMP bmp image/x-ms-bmp known
Photoshop psd, pdd application/x-photoshop known
Postscript ps, eps application/postscript supported
Video Quicktime mov, qt video/quicktime known
MPEG Audio mpa, abs, mpega audio/x-mpeg known
Microsoft Project mpp, mpx, mpd application/vnd.ms-project known
Mathematica ma application/mathematica known
LateX latex application/x-latex known
TeX tex application/x-tex known
TeX dvi dvi application/x-dvi known
SGML sgm, sgml application/sgml known
WordPerfect wpd application/wordperfect5.1 known
RealAudio ra, ram audio/x-pn-realaudio known
Photo CD pcd image/x-photo-cd known
AutoCAD dwg known
AutoCAD Exchange Format dfx known
AutoCAD Internet Files dwf known
DejaVu djv known
RealVideo ra, ram video/x-pn-realvideo known
sid sid known

What To Do If Your Format Isn't Listed

For further information, please contact .

Modified from the University of Kansas' KU ScholarWorks site.