Re: [ARSCLIST] Hard disk drives and DAT

[andy kolovos <akolovos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Lauren,

As a short-to-medium-term storage solution--and as a part of a more 
comprehensive approach--multiple HDD is the best most of us can do at 
this point in time.

I prefer Maxtor and Western Digital drives, and I favor those that come 
in enclosures that offer FireWire and an on/off switch.  Very vexing to 
have no on/off switch.

In some cases it can be more cost effective to purchase Maxtor/WD 
internal drives, reliable external enclosures and build them yourself. 
I've had good luck with the "Neptune" line of enclosures from Other 
World Computing 
(http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/add-ons-and-hubs/enclosure-kits) 
and have heard good things about their "Mercury Elite" enclosures as well.

As others have mentioned, just like Coco Puffs are part of a complete 
breakfast that includes toast, juice and etc., external HDD is part of 
comprehensive, lower-cost storage approach that includes optical disc 
and linear tape.

Not all of us can swing a RAID array.  Do the best you can with what you 
have.

best,

andy
--

Andy Kolovos
Archivist/Folklorist
Vermont Folklife Center
3 Court Street ; P.O. Box 442
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 388-4964
akolovos @ vermontfolklifecenter.org
http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org