Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torag!micasa!jzl
From: jzl@micasa.UUCP (Jack Z. Lupic)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: What is the life-time of magnetic tape?????
Keywords: magnetic tape
Message-ID: <aN8yV2w163w@micasa.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 91 10:31:33 EST
References: <1991Jan17.183902.24474@watdragon.waterloo.edu>

daford@watdragon.waterloo.edu (Daniel Ford) writes:

> 
> I have an old reference that states that the life-time of well cared for
> magnetic tape is about 2 years.  
> 
> Is that the current state of affairs for magnetic tape?
> 
> What is the expected life-time (i.e., you can still read what you wrote) toda
> 

I have had some 7 inch-reel 1/2in. wide audio tapes for about 22 years and
can still play them although I notice that the magnetic coating is coming off
more readily than with new tapes.  The computer tape should have similar
characteristics as audio tape though.

-----
Jack Z.  Lupic - Scarborough, Ont., Canada
{aimed,becker,blister,torag,utdoe}!micasa!jzl