Re: [ARSCLIST] Labeling Software

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

Why not use the robust surface CD and DVDs that take inkjet printing?  They
also stand up to normal ink pens (not ball-point) better than Staples
quality.

I've yet to find a store that carries them but buy mine from various net
suppliers. TY and Mistsuis sell for c. 60 each in lots of 100.

Steve Smolian

----- Original Message -----
From: "Miriam Meislik" <miriam+@xxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2003 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Labeling Software


> These are all excellent points are well.
>
> I did consider using the manufacturers serial numbers, but I felt that
over
> time, this would be just one more thing to track. Since the project
already has
> a great deal of data associated with each disc, I really wanted something
that
> was easy, that I could pass to any graduate student/student
assistant/volunteer
> to do. Also, not everyone is able to read the manufacturer's numbers.
(Think
> aging eyes here.)
>
> My goal is to use hub labels that contain the information.  and to write
nothing
> on the face of the disc.  I have never been a fan of placing labels over
the
> entire surface of the disc and have been concerned about the damage that
could
> be caused by inks on the surface.  These discs are for access and are not
the
> masters.  They also need to be readily identifiable to make sure that
> researchers who use them put them where they belong.
>
> For another project, I have been using a Kaiser CD [R] Pen to mark CD R
hubs .
> These have been working okay, the problem I see with using marking pens is
that,
> well, personally, I have pretty illegible handwriting.  I can read what's
there,
> I wish others luck.   This is another reason why I prefer something that
is
> typed like a hub label.  No deciphering required.
>
> Miriam
>
> Bradleys wrote:
>
> > Steven C. Barr and List Members:
> >
> > There is information on the Internet that indicates that almost any kind
of
> > material applied to a DVD can lead to degradation of the disc. Therefore
> > even applying a unique serial number is problematical.
> >
> > Some discs are sold with embossed unique serial numbers. These could be
used
> > to do an a, b, c documentation of every disc that Steven envisions. (a
is
> > the serial number, b is the insert put in the Jewel case with the disc
and c
> > would be a database record. I suggest adding d, a permanent log book of
> > every disc by serial number of data base entry. This would be an
archival
> > book, acid free and archival quality journal recorded in using archival
> > approved non-acid pens. As for e, place the serial number into the disc
as
> > the volume label as applicable.
> >
> > Have any had experience using discs with manufacturer applied serial
> > numbers?
> >
> > If one is going to "take a chance" and write a serial number on the disc
> > using an acid free archival approved pen marker and write the serial
number
> > very near the hub of the disc on the non-media side. (Just my own idea
> > applying what I think I understand.) Marking pens have solvent and
solvent
> > induced stress crazing introducing the opportunity for moisture and
> > atmospheric infiltration is probably the biggest risk with applying a
number
> > with such a pen. Graphite pencils might be able to write a legible label
on
> > a "printable" type disc. These would not necessarily be permanent but
might
> > avoid the problem of solvents. I have heard of using china markers.
These
> > may also not use solvents but I am not familiar with them.
> >
> > Applying a serial number with a vibrating engraving pen would have the
> > advantage of not chemically stressing the plastic of the disc but there
> > would be mechanical stress. Does anyone have any information on whether
the
> > stress induced by a limited small writing with an engraving pen might
cause
> > long term degradation of a disc. If the only difficulty is a short term
> > chance of disc damage, this can be dealt with by writing the numbers on
the
> > disc before they are used (recorded to).
> >
> > As to printing on a label, has anyone seen any claims that (1) such
label to
> > the disc printers use inks that are not in any way harmful to
survivability
> > of the disc and (2) for the durability and long term readability of such
> > labels. Aside from manufacturers claims I would not trust such labels
unless
> > some analysis and longer term and accelerated studies had been performed
> > with them. Such studies would be specific to a particular printer and
> > particular ink media so I would not expect that much information would
be
> > available. We face the same difficulty with the discs themselves.
> >
> > The minimalist approach suggests that whatever way one applies the mark
that
> > the mere addition of a unique serial number to the disc on the obverse
side
> > near the hub is going to be the least likely to cause data loss of
archived
> > discs. I would prefer using the manufacturer applied serial numbers.
> >
> > Ralph Bradley
>
> --
> Miriam Meislik
> Associate Archivist
> Photograph Curator
> Archives of Industrial Society
> 7500 Thomas Blvd.
> University of Pittsburgh
> Pittsburgh, PA 15260
> (412)244-7075 voice
> (412)244-7077 fax
> miriam@xxxxxxxx
>
> http://www.library.pitt.edu/libraries/archives/archives.html
> http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/index.html
>
> Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
> --Steven Wright
>
> When your mouth drops open, click the shutter
> --Harold Feinstein, November 11, 2001
>
> Photography does not create eternity. . . it embalms time,
> rescuing it simply from its proper corruption.
> --André Bazin (1918-1958)