Re: [ARSCLIST] Memorex CDs

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since 5" discs have become so ubiquitous, I doubt they'll just disappear one day. I read somewhere 
that, as of a couple of years ago, more CD's had been sold than LPs ever reported sold in all of the 
LP era (cannot site source -- do not have copy, might have been an RIAA release or some news article 
based on sales data). That's just music CD's. Think of all the home-burned CD's, the DVD's both 
commercial and home-burned, the more fringe formats like PhotoCD, all of the software CD-ROMs. No, 
this format won't just up and die off one day. There will be a very long sunset. I would say, if 5" 
optical discs cannot be used in 100 years, another digital format will have come along and be as 
ubiquitous and there was a decades-long transition period where anything of value was moved to the 
new format. However, I'd place bets that there will be equipment to read 5" optical discs readily 
available if not standard gear on computers in 2106, just like people still make cartridges and 
stylii to play grooved mechanical records. If you're really concerned about a sudden demise in the 
format, make sure to keep your current PC or Mac when it becomes obsolete. Fire it up once in a 
while to make sure it works and make sure you transition to future networking hardware so you can 
share your CD's with a possible (although not likely in our lifetimes) future world where 5" discs 
cannot be easily used anymore. If something happens in history that does not afford a long 
transition out of 5" optical discs, I would think the status of your Matsui Gold CDR's will be the 
least of your worries because the only scenario that makes sense would be a severe technological 
disruption as happens when societies break down.

One man's opinions, etc.

-- Tom Fine

PS -- the lessons of Alexandria: there is no such thing as a forever archive. There is no perfect 
archival format, not even stone tablets. I would argue that history proves your choice of storage 
location is a more critical factor than current storage medium. You can change the medium later, but 
one fire or one earthquake or one flood can destroy a storage location and everything in it forever.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerome Hartke" <jhartke@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 7:07 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Memorex CDs


> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> > [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of steven c
> > Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 11:52 PM
> > To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Memorex CDs
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Steven Smolian" <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > I've long held that the true test for future availablility of a
> > technology
> > > is if has been widely distributed enough to be found in the pawn shops.
> > The
> > > CD player certainly has.
> > >
> > The essential question then becomes:
> >
> > How long will CD players last before needing extensive and often
> > specialized
> > repairs?
> >
> > Keep in mind that virtually all cylinder records are being played on
> > original vintage cylinder machines...but that is at least partially
> > because parts for the machines are generally available, either NOS
> > or reproduced, and the technology needed to repair the machines
> > is not too advanced.
> >
> > If someone can find a surviving CD player in 2106, will there be
> > anyone left who knows exactly how to keep...or get...it running?
> > In fact, I wonder the same thing about today's computerized
> > automobiles...current cars are undoubtedly more efficient and
> > less trouble to operate, but what happens when the Acme
> > Semiconductor Chip Manufactory discontinues model X-2345
> > that your by-then-vintage machine needs to run...
> >
> > Steven C. Barr
>
> Replacing is better than repairing. I always inventory two or three "good"
> models. Although their lubricants may harden over an extensive period, that
> can be remedied by cycling the drive or by opening it and relubricating the
> rails. Those who have the talents to repair cylinder machines should be
> capable of opening a CD/DVD drive.
>
> Jerry
> Media Sciences, Inc.