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Last updated January 26, 2008 6:42:55 PM EST

File Format Registries
An interesting article File format typing and format registries (found via Gary McGath) got me thinking about my goals for FileFormat.Info and where it fits in among these larger, funded efforts. More...

DataPortability.org
DataPortability.org is a new site/group that is focused on integrating existing standards & technologies to allow data to be moved from one application/website to another. They have gotten people from all the major sites on board, which is good but will make reaching agreement pretty difficult. I will be watching closely to see what they can accomplish.

VideoPreservation Website
The VideoPreservation Website is an incredible resource for anyone with old videotapes. It includes an identification guide to old videotapes and a nice list of links to related resources.

Report comparing the costs of preserving movies
The Science and Technology Council of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences published a report "The Digital Dilemma" that compares the costs of preserving a movie made with digital technology versus one made with conventional film. More...

Flip text upside-down with Unicode
I found (via a referrer log entry from reddit.com) someone using Unicode to flip text upside-down using an assortment of symbols from Unicode. I wrote my own version of Unicode Upside Down and published the mapping that I am using in case anyone is interested.

Search all file-format related sites
I have setup a Google "Custom Search Engine" that searches FileFormat.Info and other sites focused on file formats and related issues. To use it, check "related sites" on the FileFormat.Info home page or the search page. I will make a list of sites that are included, but Google does not make it easy to export the list across contributors. Anyhow, if you know of a site that should be in the list but instead, but suggest it!

A Google Group for questions, feedback and contributions
I disabled my feedback form when the spammers got too annoying but I really wanted to have a way for people to contact me easily. I have setup a FileFormat Google Group. You don't have to join: just send email to fileformat@googlegroups.com and look on the web for the answer. Currently it is moderated, though only in case of spam.

Information on fonts from your local machine
I have been using Adobe Flex at my work and have been able to be very productive with it. I whipped together Local Font List, essentially a version of the Unicode character font support page, but using the fonts on your machine instead of my server. More...

AutoDesk sues to keep DWG file format closed
AutoDesk sues the OpenDWG group to try to keep the DWG file format closed. Via SlashDot, though the link is now www.opendesign.com.

MSOfficeXML fragmentation
Joel Spolsky talks about how the decision to end VBA support in MSOffice for the Mac. Joel is right when he says it comes down to the cost/benefit analysis. When there is competition and money at stake, solutions can be found. When you have a captive audience, well, the sheep just have to understand. More...

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