Re: [AV Media Matters] DVD as Storage Medium

[<smolians@erols.com>]

>From long field experience, chiseled stone is the best method.
Next to that is parchment, but only when stored in dry caves.
Everything else is a compromise.
The issue now is making accurate copies of orginals.

Stdeven Smolian

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Steven Smolian    301-694-5134
Smolian Sound Studios
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CDs made from old recordings,
Five or one or lifetime hoardings,
Made at home or concert hall,
Text and pics explain it all.
at www.soundsaver.com
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----- Original Message -----
From: <rburkel@juno.com>
To: "AV Media Matters" <AV-Media-Matters@topica.com>
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 8:53 AM
Subject: Re: [AV Media Matters] DVD as Storage Medium

> Dear John
> Your comments prompt me to elaborate on my comments concerning the
> Census.
>
> The USA, UK, Australian Census records are backed up on microfilm to
> eliminate the seemingly unsolvable problem of  endless changing
> technology and the expense and risk of ongoing migration over decades
> and
> centuries. Our Roman alphabet and Arabic numerals are the ONLY
> bulletproof methodology for preserving the written word. Microfilm
> happens to be the most cost effective human readable preservation media
> available today. It also has a 500 years life expectancy rating from
> ANSI
> and ISO. Microfilm is the best choice today to preserve writings, as
> parchment was the best choice 1000 years ago.
>
> The final decision to continue using microfilm for Census records was
> made by the Reform Committee of the US House of Representatives.
> Congressman Henry Waxman of CA lead the effort.
>
> Government has a responsibility to insure the preservation of the
legacy
> of our Nation.
>
> In my view the ultimate solution for long term written document
> preservation is using OCR  to convert computer output microfilm back to
> processable code using the technology of the day. This approach
> eliminates migration, guarantees access to content for the life of the
> media, and allows future processing.
>
> Russ Burkel
>
>On Wed, 11 Dec 2002 22:21:43 -0600 johnsp@comcast.net writes:
>> How ironic this statement is, as the 2000 US Census electronic
>> records are currently being migrated from electronic records to film......
>>
>> Manufacturers are part of the problem, but not all of it.  We use
>> the term "supplemental migration" in our daily dialog with our record label
>> clients,
>> to try and make them understand there is no all-encompassing solution to
>> predict what the future will deliver.
>>
>> It's my opinion that the "digital age" will simply make that process easier
>> and perhaps more automated.......but you're not going to get the government
>> to legislate Intel and others to stop making technological advances,
>> nor should the government subsidize buggy-whip manufacturers.
>>
>> Those evil profits that many manufacturers make actually have made our
>> lives better in many respects.
>>
>> -John Spencer
>> Bridge Media Solutions, Inc.
>>
>>> From: rburkel@juno.com
>>> Reply-To: AV-Media-Matters@topica.com
>>> Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 15:41:20 -0600
>>> To: AV Media Matters <AV-Media-Matters@topica.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [AV Media Matters] DVD as Storage Medium
>>>
>>> Mitsui Gold CD/DVD will survive for many decades but the retrieval system
>>> will be obsolete in a few years.
>>>
>>> Most people would agree with Jim.
>>>
>>> What a sad situation. The endless obsolescence problem is well known,
>>> unfortunately the solution seems to be unknown.
>>>
>>> It's obvious that manufacturers will not provide a solution. They are
>>> "for profit" entities and are driven by the profit motive to sell new
>>> products, not providing access to AV on obsolete media.
>>>
>>> I think at some point, Governments will have to get involved, as many
>>> have to preserve and provide long term access to their Countries Census
>>> records.
>>>
>>> Russ Burkel
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, 11 Dec 2002 12:03:04 EST Jim Wheeler <Jimwheeler@aol.com>
>>> writes:
>>>> Lisa
>>>>
>>>> The Mitsui Gold is the best CD/DVD for long-term storage.  If you store
>>>> Mitsui Golds at normal room environment, I believe they will survive
>>>> for many decades.  They will probably outlast the equipment which will be
>>>> obsolete in a few years.  I have ten year old 5 inch floppies but no way to
>> play them.
>>>>
>>>> A cool/dry environment is always preferred for archival material.  But
>>>> for Mitsui Golds, I believe any reasonable room environment will be okay.
>>>>
>>>> A potential problem is that of Interchange.  Make sure that your CD-Rs
>>>> and DVD-Rs will play on machine made by other manufacturers.
>>>>
>>>> Jim Wheeler