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Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!mintaka!ogicse!cvedc!mcspdx!adphdw20!dtb
From: dtb@adpplz.UUCP (Tom Beach)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.periphs,rec.music.cd,rec.music.misc
Subject: Re: What medium will be readable in 25 years?
Summary: Punch card longevity
Keywords: computer music
Message-ID: <717@adphdw20.UUCP>
Date: 6 May 91 16:19:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: adphdw20.717
References: <8144@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> <1991May1.174841.3321@investor.pgh.pa.us> <7DF+PQ+@cs.widener.edu>
Followup-To: comp.periphs
Organization: ADP Dealer Services R&D, Portland, OR
Lines: 32

In article <7DF+PQ+@cs.widener.edu>, sven@cs.widener.edu (Sven Heinicke) writes:
> In <1991May1.174841.3321@investor.pgh.pa.us>, rbp@investor.pgh.pa.us writes:

> >>	Suppose you were going to put some audio recordings and computer
> >>media into a "time box" for 25 years.  At the end of 25 years, people would
> >>open the box and look at/listen to the stuff inside.
> 
> I don't know about paper either, a lot of books that I have that are
> more then 10 years old are comming apart.  Is punch card paper made
> from low acid paper?  If not they will not last to long either.
> 
I still have boxes of computer punch cards from when I was in college.
That's WELL over 25 yrs ago, trust me! They're in pristine condition.
I have no idea where I could get them read today, but if I could find
a place with a card reader, they would read absolutely error free!!

Much of the popular press, read paperbacks, are printed on low cost
high acid content paper which as noted has trouble lasting 10 years,
much less 25. On the other hand, good quality hardbound books will last
>100 yrs with no special archival care needed.

From an archival standpoint there's NO doubt in my mind that punch
cards are a FAR FAR better choice than magnetic media!

Tom Beach

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|  Tom Beach : Sr Project Engineer : Mass Storage Technology             |
|  phone : (503) 294-1541                                                |
|  email : uunet : dtb@adpplz.uucp                                       |
|  ADP Dealer Services, ADP Plaza, 2525 S.W. 1st Ave, Portland OR, 97201 |
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