Posted by Rick Lamb on December 11, 2006 at 6:12 PM
Hi folks, one of the common questions I've been getting lately is what media to archive images onto? Ten years ago it was readily assumed that CD's would last at least 50 years properly stored. In the last few years that has been proven to be painfully incorrect. It's more like 5 years or less depending on storage and labeling (more on labeling later).
So what do we DO to properly archive our hard won image files?????
Well I've found some recent information on the web. I found this website which covers the issues quite well:
The bottom line is look for Taiyo Yuden DVD media, preferably DVD+R Taiyo Yuden media for the most bang for the buck to squeeze as much longevity as possible out of your archiving media!! DO give the above article a good slooooooow read. it's PLENTY DEEP but well worth the read if you are sincerely wanting to keep them thar images past 5 years.
Where do you get this stuff you ask??? Here is one source:
Now on to labeling. DO NOT do what I USED to do - use a sharpie pen to write on the CD/DVD!!!!!!! The ink from these pens can leach into the plastic and cause all kinds of nastiness for the media!! DO use preprinted labels such as Fellowes/Neato labels that can be printed on any home inkjet or laser document printer. These at least won't leach as quickly as the handy ole Sharpie pen will. Plus one can put MUCH MORE identifiable information on these labels.
So please give the above information/links a look and feel free to ask questions or post opposing views!!
Posted by AJ Montgomery on December 11, 2006 at 7:55 PM
Thanks for sharing this information. This is one topic that should be very near and dear to all of our interests.
Posted by Craig Sullivan on December 11, 2006 at 9:18 PM
Delkin makes a Gold archival CD and DVD rated at 300 years. Plus they have a permanent ink pen rated safe for cd/dvd's. Check them out at: Disks&Pens
Posted by Erik Lundh on December 12, 2006 at 2:27 PM
The thing I keep going back to is my music CD's from over ten years ago. They are still in top working order with no signs of going bad. (all of them)
Posted by Rick Lamb on December 12, 2006 at 5:29 PM
Erik please do keep in mind that music CD's are typically stamped media which is much different than a burned CD. The article I linked above goes into much detail about this.
Posted by Erik Lundh on December 13, 2006 at 12:46 AM
Rick,
Thanks, I guess it would help if I read everything.
Discussion
5 repliesSo what do we DO to properly archive our hard won image files?????
Well I've found some recent information on the web. I found this website which covers the issues quite well:
http://adterrasperaspera.com/blog/2006/10/30/how-to-choose-cddvd-archival-media/
The bottom line is look for Taiyo Yuden DVD media, preferably DVD+R Taiyo Yuden media for the most bang for the buck to squeeze as much longevity as possible out of your archiving media!! DO give the above article a good slooooooow read. it's PLENTY DEEP but well worth the read if you are sincerely wanting to keep them thar images past 5 years.
Where do you get this stuff you ask??? Here is one source:
http://www.supermediastore.com/taiyo-yuden-silver-thermal-8x-dvd-plus-r-media.html
Now on to labeling. DO NOT do what I USED to do - use a sharpie pen to write on the CD/DVD!!!!!!! The ink from these pens can leach into the plastic and cause all kinds of nastiness for the media!! DO use preprinted labels such as Fellowes/Neato labels that can be printed on any home inkjet or laser document printer. These at least won't leach as quickly as the handy ole Sharpie pen will. Plus one can put MUCH MORE identifiable information on these labels.
So please give the above information/links a look and feel free to ask questions or post opposing views!!
Thanks, I guess it would help if I read everything.