Quote:
Originally Posted by nyrath
The problem is that e-books can become unreadable due to the mere passage of time.
http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/26409.html
Not to mention problems with media. I've got a bunch of data on 3.5 inch floppy disks, but nowadays I do not have easy access to a 3.5 floppy disk drive. And that was only about 15 years worth of obsolescence. |
I recently mentioned this somewhere else. Backed up data is not static; it has to keep up with current technology. Whose fault is it if you didn't transfer your data from 3.5" to more current technology?
Electronic data is fragile but the beauty of it is it is easily duplicated, allowing it to be stored in multiple locations, and can be easily transferred to more current media, avoiding the problem of obsolescence. When one has multiple back ups in more than one location, a disaster (fire, flood, theft, etc.) on one location is not likely to wipe out the data in the other location.
CDs are a poor media for back ups because the dyes used will deteriorate over time. The rate of deterioration will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but the average usable life is about five years. Hard drives are much safer.
If one has a broadband connection, reliable online back up services with unlimited capacity can had for $5 a month or less. These are an excelent supplement to local backups. People may complain about the cost of online storage and the cost of extra hard drives for local back ups but what is the cost if a thief makes off with your computer and the data on it? What if a fire destroys your computer (which also has your inventory list of belongings on it) and the extra hard drive with your only back up?