Changes

{{Navigate|Prev=Audio and Video OER|Curr=File formats|Next=Publishing OER}}

{{Navigate|Prev=Audio and Video OER|Curr=File formats|Next=Publishing OER}}

Different programs store the same kind of information in different formats, the format is indicated by the extension to the file name, which is usually 3 characters. For e.g. a text file may be stored in a .docx or a .odt or a .txt format, a music file may be in a .wav or a .mp3 or a .ogg format. Some formats are ‘open’ while others are ‘closed’. An [https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_format open format] is a file format for storing digital data, defined by a published specification usually maintained by a standards organization, and which can be used and implemented by anyone<nowiki/>, whereas a non-open or closed format may not be possible to be implemented by anyone other than the vendor. Open formats should be preferred for OER, since they share the underlying rationale of being used/usable by anyone. You may want to convert your file from a closed format to an open format.  

Different programs store the same kind of information in different formats, the format is indicated by the extension to the file name, which is usually 3 characters. For e.g. a text file may be stored in a .docx or a .odt or a .txt format, a music file may be in a .wav or a .mp3 or a .ogg format. Some formats are ‘open’ while others are ‘closed’. An [https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_format open format] is a "''file format for storing digital data, defined by a published specification usually maintained by a standards organization, and which can be used and implemented by anyone<nowiki/>, whereas a non-open or closed format may not be possible to be implemented by anyone other than the vendor"''. Open formats should be preferred for OER, since they share the underlying rationale of being used/usable by anyone. Hence, you may want to convert your file from a closed format to an open format.  

Another pragmatic reason, you may have a need to convert a file from one format to another. A video that plays on your computer may not play on your DVD player, or a music clip that plays on your computer may not play on your mobile phone.

Another pragmatic reason, you may have a need to convert a file from one format to another, to use it. A video that plays on your computer may not play on your DVD player, or a music clip that plays on your computer may not play on your mobile phone.

In this chapter, you will learn how to publish your OER in open formats, and convert the OER into an open format.

In this chapter, you will learn how to publish your OER in open formats, and convert the OER into an open format.

|3

|3

|Image OER

|Image OER

|png

|png, jpeg

|

|

|-

|-

You can also save a LibreOffice file as a web page (html format). A file saved as a web page can be opened by a web browser.   

You can also save a LibreOffice file as a web page (html format). A file saved as a web page can be opened by a web browser.   

You can also save a LibreOffice file as a PDF. The PDF format has two advantages, printing it will give the same hard copy as the soft copy. Secondly, it can be read on all systems, since the fonts are stored with the file. This is particularly useful in case where certain fonts, not available on all computers are used (such as non-UNICODE fonts), saving and sharing in PDF format will allow it to be read by others in their computers.

You can also save a LibreOffice file as a pdf. The pdf format has two advantages, printing it will give the same hard copy as the soft copy. Secondly, it can be read on all systems, since the fonts are stored with the file. This is particularly useful in case where certain fonts, not available on all computers are used (such as non-UNICODE fonts); saving and sharing in PDF format will allow it to be read by others in their computers.

All these format changes can be done in the LibreOffice [https://libreoffice.org/discover/writer/ Writer], [https://libreoffice.org/discover/calc Calc] and [https://libreoffice.org/discover/calc/ Impress] applications.  

All these format changes can be done in the LibreOffice [https://libreoffice.org/discover/writer/ Writer], [https://libreoffice.org/discover/calc Calc] and [https://libreoffice.org/discover/calc/ Impress] applications, for text, spreadsheet and presentation documents.  

=== Converting image files (GIMP) ===

=== Converting image files (GIMP) ===

You can import an image file into GIMP (File -> Open) and then export the same file (File -> Export) into a format of your choice. GIMP allows export into a wide variety of image formats.   

You can import an image file into GIMP (File -> Open) and then export the same file (File -> Export) into a format of your choice. GIMP allows export into a wide variety of image formats.   

[[File:COL_-_Exporting_image_to_another_format_using_GIMP.png|none|thumb|450x450px|Image - Exporting an image file to another format using GIMP]]

[[File:COL_-_Exporting_image_to_another_format_using_GIMP.png|none|thumb|450x450px|Image - Exporting an image file to another format using GIMP]]You can export your image to the popular open image formats such as png and jpeg.

=== Converting audio and video media files (''Selene Media converter'') ===

=== Converting audio and video media files (''Selene Media converter'') ===

You can convert media files using the Selene Media converter

You can convert media files using the Selene Media converter

Open Selene Media converter on your computer, through <u>Applications → Sound and Video → Selene Media converter</u>

Open Selene Media converter on your computer, through <u>Applications → Sound and Video → Selene Media converter.</u>

[[File:COL_-_Opening_Selene_Media_converter.png|none|thumb|450x450px|Image - Opening Selene Media converter]]

[[File:COL_-_Opening_Selene_Media_converter.png|none|thumb|450x450px|Image - Opening Selene Media converter]]

You can click on the ‘settings’ icon to specify the folder in which the converted file should be saved.

You can click on the ‘settings’ icon to specify the folder in which the converted file should be saved.