Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/01/09

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Subject: [Leica] Media Life
From: alaxsxaq at gmail.com (Glenn Stauffer)
Date: Sun Jan 9 08:09:44 2005
References: <20050109155216.23642.qmail@web60710.mail.yahoo.com>

On Sun, 9 Jan 2005 07:52:16 -0800 (PST), V.Roger <vroger@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi all:
> Since my reading time is limited and I am unable to
> review, in depth, all the digests that I receive, this
> question may have been asked and answered. Kindly
> indulge me. At this stage I have several years of CDs
> containing my images. What is the shelf life?My son
> indicates that 3-4 years is about all, after which he
> suggests copying the disks, perhaps to new archival
> disks. Any views? Many thanks- VRR (P.S. my negatives
> from 30 years ago are still pristine).
> _______________________________________________

There are lots of informative sites with data from a variety of tests.
 Archivists worry about this a lot apparently.

Your results are going to vary from any published test results or
manufacturer specs and will depend on a large number of factors
including quality of the media you use, whether you use CDR or CDRW,
and how carefully you store the recorded discs.   I think 3-4 years is
really being way too conservative.

Don't forget to keep your eye on changes in the industry.  There will
be a day when your new computer doesn't come with a removable storage
device compatible with today's media.  Hopefully you'll still have
your old system around (if the new system doesn't work with any sort
of CD reader) and can read all your discs so you can transfer them to
your new system and whatever sort of removable storage they sell then.

Glenn

Replies: Reply from mail at steveunsworth.co.uk (Steve Unsworth) ([Leica] Media Life)
In reply to: Message from vroger at yahoo.com (V.Roger) ([Leica] Media Life)