Long-term access to primary research data as a challenge to migration

Digitization allows humanities scholars to access their primary sources with the help of computers. As a consequence, research data is also created within digital infrastructure by using databases, annotation tools or virtual research environments. This novel way of using the computer in the humanities exceeds the conventional use of word processors. The dynamic nature of this data poses new problems beyond the difficulty of storing it for a long-term period (archiving): data should also be permanently accessible and usable to base future research upon. Because of rapid changes in hardware and software, migration of research data to a working and long-term supported infrastructure is indispensable. SALSAH is developed as such an infrastructure. It is a web-based generic research platform for the humanities allowing for the collaborative annotation and linking of digital sources.