#CDROMs and books compard
4 messages in this thread
In a proposal to one of my clients, I compiled a table comparing the
merits of CDROM publications with conventional books.
He liked it, but came back with: "You've forgotten an important attribute of
books. Will a library of antique CDROMs ever have that appealing,
dusty-musty fragrance you find on the back shelves of second-hand book
shops?"
Well, no, maybe not. But it raises a question: What are the archival
qualities of CDROMs? Will a CDROM pressed today still be readable in 50
years' time? What IS the life expectancy of a CDROM? If we want to make one
that will last forever, is there a process available to do it?
Blair
Blair:
3M did some tests a couple of years ago, and concluded a properly made disc
should last hundreds of years. Obviously we don't have a lot of experience
yet, but the tests involve lots of heat and humidity and other nasty stuff.
It appears a CD's longevity depends on two basci things: that it is made
correctly (chiefly that no air is allowed between the layers), and that they
have proper care (contrary to what people said a few years ago, they are not
indestructable).
I'd love to see your comparisonof CD's and books. Is it something you could
upload and share?
Best – Rich Bowers
>> What are the archival qualities of CD-ROMs?
My guess is that the limiting factor will be availability of working hardware
capable of reading them. The medium itself will surely outlast the standard by
which it was written, possibly by many decades.
Rudy
<the medium will outlast..>
of course you can't PROVE that just yet. and there was a scurrilous rumour a
few years ago that ageing of the plastic coating on CDs could cause read
errors after a few years.
Plastics do age, go brittle etc, but I dunno what work has been done on CD
ageing
dw