HEIs and national bodies tend to have larger staff forces than other areas in archaeology. The majority of archaeologists have Internet access. There are many archaeologists actively producing digital datasets, who have the potential to add to digital archives but limited means of using them themselves. Using the figures derived from Strategies for Digital Data , it is possible to arrive at an estimate of between 2,200 and 3,000 professional archaeologists with computer access in Britain. There is a considerable amount of digital data being created and archived, though traditional archives do not hold these in any quantity.
Little use is made of CD-ROMs.
There may not be a clear difference between practices used for everyday security and long-term storage of digital data. Most of the techniques used by archives fail to preserve information in an accessible and usable digital form. Current practice indicates that the majority of digital datasets are not being archived in a way that can ensure their functionality for future use. Most datasets are accessible to others, even those held by field units and consultants. By following 'good practice' for the preservation of other media, curators may be disregarding the needs of digital information.