> There are several issues with data storage in general...
>
> First, the medium has to survive.
This is why I use Mitsui "archival-grade" gold DVD-Rs for my storage -
they have a shelf life of ~100 years. Highly recommended!
> Second, you have to be able to read it. How many people
> still have working 8-track tape players? Who has a machine
> that can read some of the early videotape formats like U-matic?
That's not really as big an issue as you think. For digital pictures,
the format is software-decoded, and not a hardware-based issue as in
8-track tapes. There will ALWAYS be software to read various file
formats. Heck, I can still read image files from my 8-bit Atari computer
created over 20 years ago.
> Flash drive prices are coming down and sizes are going up.
> I'd get some 2-gigabyte flash drives for $75 or less and use
> them as backups.
Flash drives will lose their content over time, unfortunately. And a 2GB
flash drive will only hold about 500 6MP digital camera images.
> The key is to have multiple copies of the files on different
> media so you have a chance.
And that's exactly what I do - I make archival DVD-R's (multiple copies
to keep at different locations) and back them up on an external hard
drive ($100, well worth it)
- Paul
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