In my field of interest Australian Archives ( NAA) have been very helpful in that all their minor war crimes cases are digitised and downloadable, apart from one file which exceeds 500 pages ( an arbitrary limit for the creation of a portable format document ), but which is still readable online. Some digital files are in "html" only but can still be read and are instantly available copies of documents at Kew. For example, Red Cross reports on German POW camps are available. Contrast this with Kew who flogged digital copies of Hong Kong War Crimes trials to Hong Kong University for £35,000 and UK people without the HK University "log-in" details cannot read them in full ( a summary of each case is available.) I was surprised to find that the NAA "record search" function is regarded as not fit for purpose ( I find it simple and fast , but then I hate computers, so what do I know ? ) and that physical record ordering is convoluted. Apparently it takes 90 working days to obtain some files and that decisions on availability of files can take seven years. On this see Professor Twomey's submission. Also that Australians travel long distances only to find that files are not available, although ordered, costing them fortunes in travel and accommodation expense. Opening hours are rather limited. On the other hand, the Australian War Memorial has been given half a billion Australian dollars to do something. Pay consultants, perhaps. The submissions to the "Functional and Efficiency Review" of the Australian National Archives can be read on their website here: About us – National Archives of Australia, Australian Government This submission from Professor Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, The University of Sydney describes an intolerable state of affairs. http://www.naa.gov.au/Images/ProfessorAnneTwomey_tcm16-104753.pdf
