D

Daguerreotype
Data element
Database
Description
Destruction date
Diazo Film
Digital Image
Disaster plan
Disposition
Document
Documentation

Daguerreotype:

The first practical photographic process, in which an image is formed on a copper plate coated with highly polished silver that is sensitized by fumes of iodine to form silver iodide. Following exposure the latent image is developed in mercury vapor, resulting in a unique image on metal that cannot be used as a negative for replication.

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Data element:

The smallest and simplest unit of data that imparts meaningful information, generally corresponding to a field in a database file or a blank on a paper or electronic form. For example, name, address, work title, social security number, PERS number, record series title, and record group number all represent data elements.

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Database:

Integrated data files organized and stored electronically in a uniform file structure that allows data elements to be manipulated, correlated, or extracted to satisfy diverse analytical and reporting needs. A database file is managed independently of the software necessary to perform the manipulations.

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Description:

The process of analyzing, organizing, and recording information that serves to identify, manage, locate, and explain the holdings of the Archives and the contexts and records systems from which those holdings were selected.
The written representations or products of the above process.
In records management, a written account of the physical characteristics, informational content, and functional purpose of a record series or system. (SAA)

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Destruction date:

The date which marks the end of the legally required retention period for temporary records and the time when records should be destroyed unless the records are involved with or relevant to audit, litigation, or continuing administrative action.

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Diazo Film:

A microfilm duplicating or copy film widely used for its durability and economy. Diazo film copies from camera film (Silver-Halide) when contact printed using ultraviolet light and developed in the presence of gaseous ammonia.

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Digital Image:

A image or picture of a paper document recorded in binary code and stored either on optical media, magnetic media, or magneto-optical media. A pixel map is made of the light and dark points of the original document and it is recorded as either a 0 or a 1 in machine language.

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Disaster plan:

The documented policies and procedures intended to either prevent damage, minimize damage, or recover from damage to record materials.

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Disposition:

The actions taken regarding records which are no longer needed to support on-going administrative activities in accordance with the University Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. Directions may include destroy, transfer to the University Records Center, transfer to the University Archives, transfer to inactive records storage space, or retain permanently in administering unit.

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Document:

See record.

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Documentation:

In archival usage, the creation or acquisition of documents to provide evidence of the creator, an event, or an activity.
In electronic records, an organized series of descriptive documents explaining the operating system and software necessary to use and maintain a file as well as the arrangement, content, and coding of the data which it contains. (SAA)

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