Posted by Sean Hyde on December 5, 2006 at 12:45 PM
I'm aware of the limited lifespan of burned CDs, versus the 50+ years that was initially expected from them. As a result, I'm wondering how best to burn some CDs to increase the likelyhood that they'll be readable for greater than 5 years?
Use a particular brand/quality CD?
Have some place like COSTCO/?? do the burning?
Never write on the CD with a sharpie?
Other ideas/methods?
Your input would be appreciated. I'm trying to put together a printed calendar + CD combination as gifts to my wife's extended family following a 2006 summer reunion where I captured many images.
Posted by Marc Adamus on December 5, 2006 at 3:01 PM
Let me just through this out there.
There is no way at all that anyone will use CD's in 50 years regardless of their lifespan. In fact, CD's are already becoming obsolete and replaced by much more efficient and powerful forms of data storage. I doubt very much that CD's will even be a popular form of storage in five years. If people value the image information on CD's, they will likely want to store it on their computer's hard drive for safe keeping.
I really can't say for certin which brands or methods of CD storage work better than others. Good luck with your calendar.
Posted by Sean Hyde on December 5, 2006 at 3:47 PM
Thanks for the input Marc, I'm with you. However, I think my in-laws represent the 0.1 percent that might try to use CDs over 5 years from now
Posted by Mark Hudon on December 5, 2006 at 3:49 PM
Sean, haven't you ever heard that saying "Memories are for ever, CDs are for only 5 years or so"?
Posted by Jack Graham on December 5, 2006 at 3:50 PM
Marks right---I just bought ANOTHER 500gb Western Digital Hard drive at COSTCO. 229.99 if I remember right!
JG
Posted by Sean Hyde on December 5, 2006 at 4:25 PM
OH, I know folks. I agree with you on this one. You should meet my in-laws though
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on December 5, 2006 at 10:06 PM
I would highly recommend Verbatim CDs with Azo dye. Samsclub used to sell them for years, so they might still have them (I don't know cause I switched to DVDs). I have some from 2002, and they are still fine. I would also strongly suggest that you use software that verifies the information once transferred to the CD (my Nero does that). I hope this helps.
Posted by Doyle Thomas on December 5, 2006 at 10:31 PM
look into gold based CD's
Posted by Erik Lundh on December 5, 2006 at 10:32 PM
I think cd's will be around for awhile. There are too many cd players in cars and homes , especially for music. I have CD's over 12 years old that still play perfectly. Of course hard drives are the future, I just don't see CD's going away anytime soon. Heck, I just bought a new car with a CD player.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on December 5, 2006 at 10:36 PM
I agree that CD's will be around for a while but their lifespan will end just like Marc is predicting. Little glass cubes with 2,000 terrabytes is what will be here in 50 years
Discussion
9 repliesUse a particular brand/quality CD?
Have some place like COSTCO/?? do the burning?
Never write on the CD with a sharpie?
Other ideas/methods?
Your input would be appreciated. I'm trying to put together a printed calendar + CD combination as gifts to my wife's extended family following a 2006 summer reunion where I captured many images.
There is no way at all that anyone will use CD's in 50 years regardless of their lifespan. In fact, CD's are already becoming obsolete and replaced by much more efficient and powerful forms of data storage. I doubt very much that CD's will even be a popular form of storage in five years. If people value the image information on CD's, they will likely want to store it on their computer's hard drive for safe keeping.
I really can't say for certin which brands or methods of CD storage work better than others. Good luck with your calendar.
JG