cd longevity

From: Dwight K. Elvey <dwight.elvey_at_amd.com>
Date: Fri May 7 14:24:28 2004

>From: "Jay West" <jwest_at_classiccmp.org>
>
>This has been discussed on this list a few times before... but I just came
>across a rather detailed article about the topic of longevity of CD, DVD,
>and CDRW media.
>
>I'm thinking the best long term storage solution is... paper printouts. How
>retro :)
>
---snip---

 The only real chance is to make sure that the data has redundant
storage. Paper burns well. Why is it that many of the classic
systems we like have no docs. These docs were on paper. One type
of storage is no solution at all.
 When I look at things like older floppies, the biggest failure
I've seen was the higher end floppies with the inner liners.
The self sticking adhesive eventually migrated through the liner
to the disk surface. Of course wear and tear is an issue for those
in constant use but I'm more concerned here with archiving.
 As you can easily see there is no especially great storage media.
Each has its downfalls. Redundancy in media types as well as
redundancy in the actual data stored are the only chances we have.
As the article points out, there are unforeseen problems with most
every single method. Any valid system must allow for this and
respond to this in a preplanned procedure.
 I store my valued information on as many storage types as I can.
There are practical limits for me. I try to get others to duplicate
what I have ( with limited success ). What if my house burned.
What if the roof fails and the rain comes in. What if I die.
What if, what if....
 We are solidly into the "Lost Information Age".
Dwight
Received on Fri May 07 2004 - 14:24:28 BST