[Wiltshire] Comments wanted on Backup DVD-r disks...

[John Larkworthy]

Hi,
I do remember reading some time ago an 'expert' having fairly strong vies on the CD-R v DVD-R v DVD+R v CD-RW argument about media storage life and how to backup archives. Unfortunately I can't find the reference but I found this link instead:
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/initiatives/temp-opmedia-faq.html

This seems to suggest that you should use new discs (less than 5 years old) back up at a modest speed and refresh the copy every 5 years. (Ignore claims of data retention of 25 years).
Someone else seems to suggest a good Japanese firm (TY) for the disks or Verbatum (who are re-badged TY for single layer disks).

The whole argument may become moot when HD-DVD or BluRay take over but then this is the digital life.

Regards,

John.




--- On Tue, 24/3/09, David Fletcher <dave at thefletchers.net> wrote:

> From: David Fletcher <dave at thefletchers.net>
> Subject: Re: [Wiltshire] Comments wanted on Backup DVD-r disks...
> To: wiltshire at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Date: Tuesday, 24 March, 2009, 9:45 AM
> On Tuesday 24 March 2009 00:27:38 Simon Iremonger wrote:
> > I was just wondering everybody's comments ;-)...
> >
> > W.r.t. optical recordables (dvd and cd).
> >
> > I understood that 'archival grade' media is
> worth using
> >    for long-lasting recordings, e.g. archival type
> backups,
> >    as well as being careful about the storage
> conditions!
> It's probably impossible to produce "ideal"
> storage conditions at home. Maybe 
> the best that can be done would be to obtain an as airtight
> as possible 
> container, place your media in there along with a large bag
> of freshly purged 
> silica gel, and keep it wherever in your home you think
> there is the least 
> temperature variation. The cupboard under the stairs
> perhaps?
> 
> >
> >
> > I was wondering in others' experience out there...
> >
> > (a) Have others out there found they often have
> CD-R's
> >      degrade to unreadable -- is this a 'common
> problem'?
> >      I've definely found some hardly-used disks
> that just
> >      don't work well any more!
> No, I can't say that I've had problems with this,
> but then I don't really 
> trust them.
> 
> Anything I don't want to loose, I make three copies. I
> keep two copies at home 
> and take the third to the office and keep it there.
> 
> I think the general common sense things to do are,
> 1) Don't buy cheap and nasty 25 packs of media from the
> 99p shop and expect it 
> to last 25 years. Buy a well known reputable make - TDK,
> Memorex, Verbatim 
> etc. If you're really paranoid, burn each of the three
> copies from a 
> different batch/manufacturer.
> 
> 2) Don't burn at the maximum speed of the media. Slow
> it down and give the 
> burner more time to do a really good job. This was always
> the advice offered 
> when burning the ISO files for Linux installs.
> 
> Maybe after 10 years, or perhaps less, depending on how
> long it takes for the 
> next generation of storage media to become affordable,
> gather together your 
> archive CDs, for example, read them and re-burn the data
> onto DVDs, for 
> example. This way, you keep your storage media current,
> refresh your archive 
> periodically, and keep the storage space requirements down.
> I find that this 
> is easier with digital photos which tend to be taken,
> processed, and stored 
> in chronological order. What I'm having trouble with
> organising is a load of 
> images scanned from transparency film which sometimes get
> added to by scans 
> of slides picked out from various years in the past.
> 
> >
> > (b) Where is a good place to get archival disks
> anyway?
> >      Is there anywhere good locally or just get online
> >      somewhere?
> Google reveals:-
> http://www.aprmedia.co.uk/search.php?searchtype=blankdvd&searchstring=gold+archive&r=googlead&kw=gold%20dvds&fl=196101&ci=951650425&network=s&gclid=CMDSmL6cu5kCFQ6vQwod_2zv4w
> 
> >
> >
> > p.s. Expecting to be along to next meeting!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > --Simon
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wiltshire mailing list
> > Wiltshire at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/wiltshire
> 
> 
> 
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