How can I explore obscure file types?

Question

The client has a large document management system - millions of TIFF and PDF files and fewer other random files; images and other binary files. I convert formats by recording notes, reorganizing and editing confidential information. And all this is excellent for a huge mass of files.

But sometimes I find a new format and have to find out what it is and how to handle it within the project parameters. It’s usually not too complicated, and when it was, it’s such a small handful that it doesn’t really matter if I just can’t handle it. But right now I have most of the files that don't have a complex header, but it all starts with "COM1.0" (43 4F 4D 31 2E 30).

So, I would like to help on two levels. What a good way for me to explore this (and others that I might find in the future - to teach a person how to fish and that's it); when just googling around me fails? And if you know what a file type is, I would like to hear about it.

Answer 1

One specialist site http://www.wotsit.org/ - there may be several others. They provide information when you can already determine the file format.

There are some more tips at http://www.garykessler.net/library/file_sigs.html

I tried to work a little and showed nothing, but I did not try very hard.

Answer 2

, , ; , .

, , , (, , ).

Answer 3

• Google
• If Google doesn’t work, it could be something specific for your client.