Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/06/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]This is the oldest sound archive in the world: http://www.pha.oeaw.ac.at/home_e.htm They are the ones with the expertise. Their directory was the motor behind UNESCO's UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, Sub-Committee on Technology (ed.), Dietrich Sch?ller (coordinator): "Preserving our Documentary Heritage". UNESCO, 2005. (*PR, *AW) Go under publication, and look for the last title from 2005. The actually document is here: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/file_download.php/58c132526c95f80dc817aaacf1815051preserving_our_documentary_heritage_EN.doc http://tinyurl.com/2qh56a Anyone using DVD's or CD's for archival data would probably get fired. I hope those who have their data on DVD's don't end up having the known problems. Daniel Christopher Birchenhall wrote: > Larry > > Many thanks for that useful information. > > Chris B > > On 04/06/07, Lawrence Zeitlin <lrzeitlin@optonline.net> wrote: >> In early 2004, NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) >> looked at CDs and DVDs to see how long digital information recorded >> on to them would survive. They concluded that most CDs and DVDs will >> last 30 years or more if handled with care, but many factors can >> slash their longevity. Direct exposure to sunlight can do a great >> deal of damage both from the sun's ultraviolet rays and the heat. >> Indeed, any rapid significant change in temperature or humidity can >> stress the materials. Discs last longest when stored in plastic cases >> in a cool, dark, dry environment. Because gravity can gradually bend >> the disc, storing it upright like a book is best for long-term >> storage. The study also found that fingerprints and smudges >> frequently do more damage than scratches, and recommends handling >> discs by the outer edge or the center hole. >> >> If the data is extremely important put the files on two different >> discs and physically separate them. If you have a fireproof safe or >> safety deposit box is an excellent place to store one set of vital >> discs. At the office or at home, place the other disc copies flat on >> the lowest shelf of a cabinet possible. >> >> Remember you can't rely on hard drives. Despite the fact that the >> cost/GB is extremely attractive, drives do have a relatively high >> failure rate ? compared to CDs/DVDs ? and should you lose a drive you >> are likely to lose everything that hasn't been backed up someplace >> else. A 500 GB drive will hold the contents of 100 DVDs but if a DVD >> becomes unreadable, you lose only 1% of the total stored data. If the >> hard drive fails, you lose 100%. >> >> The best advice ? buy smart, test what you record then protect/handle >> critical discs as best as you can. >> >> So If I can get 30 years life from a DVD (or even 10 years), that >> will suit me fine. The good images will be transfered to whatever new >> storage technology comes along, perhaps even holographic storage in >> crystals, the bad images discarded. By that time I should have enough >> perspective to tell me which is which. The side benefit is that I >> will have an unlimited supply of drink coasters. >> >> Larry Z >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information