Digital scanning

Annette, the Cleveland Public Library is using a CD optical analog
system for a reference file of their photograph collection.  Write
Maureen Mullins there for their experiences, at:

325 Superior NE.
Cleveland, OH 44114

However, it is becoming quite clear at this point that optical and
digital technology is far too short lived to serve as a preservation
medium.  Until the technology settles down, and standards are
established, it is quite risky to commit to a particular system.  You
can easily end up with orphaned hardware.  I recently noted, in the SAA
Newsletter (I believe), that the Public Archives of Canada have been
left in the lurch in their disking program when their supplier ceased
manufacture of 12 inch disks, opting for the 5 inch.

Also, the discs themselves can only be expected to last 10-20 years
before reduplication is necessary.  Now, the error checking of the
duplicating process will insure a clean copy, but a fair amount of
labor, and a constant source of recording media, will be required to
make such a program feasible.

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 5:25
                 Distributed: Sunday, October 27, 1991
                        Message Id: cdl-5-25-005
                                  ***