Format

There are a number of things to consider once you have completed your ICTproduct. The first is, what file format do you want the final product to be in?​

You should consider if you want the audience to edit the product, as if you don’t you may want to choose a file type that will stop this. For example, most word processors, presentation software, DTP software, etc allow you to ‘Save As’ or ‘Export’ the final version as a PDF file that then cannot be edited.

Some digital products are created in certain software but need to be exported as a different file type to be easily viewed by your audience. Videos, audio files and animations are often created in a specific piece of software but may need to be saved as a different type of file so others can easily use them (e.g. video as .MP4, audio as MP3, animation as .SWF or .GIF)

Size and Location​

The size of the file is also relevant to how it will be used. Consider the size of the finished file and if its size will cause you or your audience any problems. If it is large (e.g. larger than around 10MB) then some email systems may not allow it to be attached.​

Larger files may well be better shared via a cloud-based storage service like Google Drive or One Drive. Although these may still have a maximum storage capacity that you need to check.

Backup

Backup is an area that all users of ICT need to consider. A backup is a copy of digital files stored somewhere different from the original, to be used if the original file is deleted / corrupted / lost etc.​

It is likely that your school or company has backup procedures in place but you should check, and it may only apply if the file is saved in a certain drive / place.​

It is quite likely that files stored ‘locally’ (i.e. on the device you are working on) will not be automatically backed up. However, it is also likely that your personal area for storing files in school or work is not ‘local’ but is stored on a network drive, and therefore automatically backed up.

This is important when considering working on a personal computer at home, and storing files on a memory stick. If either of those fail or get lost / stolen, you will lose all the files on them​

A good way to backup any files that are important to you is to upload them to a cloud-based storage service like Google Drive or One Drive.​

This has the additional advantage that it can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection whereas if the file is stored on a specific device (e.g. your personal laptop) you can only access it with that device.​

Most cloud-based storage services also allow you to see previous versions of a file, so you can return to the file the way it was previously.​