Hi Jim,
Thanks for highlighting this report on the dangers of relying on CDs for
long-term storage. You might have read other reports which suggest that
CDs are stable and that they will survive in the long term. But this
isn't much use if you can't find a machine or software to read the data
off the CD. Technology is changing too rapidly to rely on physical
storage media - most of us are old enough to have witnessed the
transition between different sizes and shapes of floppy disc, and many
will have had their fingers burnt by having data on a disc that no
longer fits the slot in their computer or which is in an old software
format that can't be read any more.
The ADS Guides to Good Practice warn against relying on physical storage
media for long term storage of digital data. For example see "Digital
Archives from Excavation and Fieldwork Guide to Good Practice" at:
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/project/goodguides/excavation/sect21.html
"Digital archiving is different from traditional archiving. Traditional
archiving practice seeks to preserve physical objects (e.g. artefacts,
samples, paper, photographs, microfilm) that carry information. Digital
archiving is about preserving information regardless of the media on
which that information is stored. This is because disks and other
magnetic and optical media degrade, and software and hardware change
rapidly: the physical media on which digital data are stored are
impermanent. "
In short, CDs may seem to offer an attractive and convenient storage
media and the manufacturers may assure you of their permanence but don't
rely on them in the long term. More advice about long term storage and
preservation of specific data formats is available in the AHDS Guides to
Good Practice series (see http://ahds.ac.uk/guides.htm for the full
set).
with best wishes,
Kate
[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> The web link here will take you to a report in last week's "Scotland on Sunday" discussing the problems and dangers in relying on CDs (especially cheap CDs) for back up, both because of poor quality materials and the usual technical redundancy issue. Since many of us will be using CDs for back-ups and long-term storage of files (particularly image files), it's worth thinking about. Any comments, ADS folk?
> Jim
>
--
Kate Fernie
Project Officer
Archaeology Data Service: The Dept of Archaeology,
University of York, The Kings' Manor, York, YO1 7EP, UK
email: [log in to unmask] tel: 0044 (0)1904 433973
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk
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