Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/06/04

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Subject: [Leica] Re: DVD failure
From: crbirchenhall at googlemail.com (Christopher Birchenhall)
Date: Mon Jun 4 01:17:49 2007
References: <200706031154.l53BsMY0055169@server1.waverley.reid.org> <E2975FBA-B9AA-484B-B583-E54BE1F52978@optonline.net>

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.
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>


Replies: Reply from dlr at dlridings.se (Daniel Ridings) ([Leica] Re: DVD failure)
Reply from dlr at dlridings.se (Daniel Ridings) ([Leica] Re: DVD failure)
In reply to: Message from lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin) ([Leica] Re: DVD failure)