Xref: utzoo comp.misc:12429 comp.periphs:3717 rec.music.cd:15844 rec.music.misc:69215
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!crdgw1!sixhub!davidsen
From: davidsen@sixhub.UUCP (Wm E. Davidsen Jr)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.periphs,rec.music.cd,rec.music.misc
Subject: Re: What medium will be readable in 25 years?
Keywords: computer music
Message-ID: <3856@sixhub.UUCP>
Date: 7 May 91 00:43:15 GMT
References: <8144@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> <1991May1.174841.3321@investor.pgh.pa.us> <7DF+PQ+@cs.widener.edu>
Reply-To: davidsen@sixhub.UUCP (bill davidsen)
Followup-To: comp.misc
Organization: *IX Public Access UNIX, Schenectady NY
Lines: 21

In article <7DF+PQ+@cs.widener.edu> sven@cs.widener.edu (Sven Heinicke) writes:

| 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 wouldn't bet that you can get card readers in 25 years, but I have
card decks older than that which are still in fine condition. Let's
assume that if anyone cares you could read them with optical if you had
to. Now look at the durability of vinyl... I have records 60+ years old
which have only deteriorated by playing, but the vinyl they use today is
not really as good.

  I'd either go for paper or DAT+ECC. I have lots of tapes I made in the
50's which are still playable, if not free from defects. If you want
digital quality I'd go paper.
-- 
bill davidsen - davidsen@sixhub.uucp (uunet!crdgw1!sixhub!davidsen)
    sysop *IX BBS and Public Access UNIX
    moderator of comp.binaries.ibm.pc and 80386 mailing list
"Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me