OT: Archiving data (LONG)

From: CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com <(CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com)>
Date: Wed May 31 16:15:45 2000

>> I think mike was talking about storing data on photographic film, like
>> many of the microfiche data storage systems already in use, but intended
>> for direct computer reading. Many films will resolve 100 line pairs
>> per millimeter; this directly translates to about 3.2 MBytes per
>> square inch.

>Yes, but how long can we expect the film to last?

Decades, if processed sloppily, or centuries, if processed archivally.

The availability and maintainability of the readout systems becomes, IMHO,
the deciding factor. If the data is stored as human-readable text this
isn't so much a problem, until languages change or are forgotten at least.

Tim.
Received on Wed May 31 2000 - 16:15:45 BST