Safe longterm storage

crossi · 10-09-2014, 05:32 PM

What is the safest longterm storage for digital files? Is there any research going on to find a format that will really be safe for a long while even if it is read only?

murg · 10-09-2014, 05:37 PM

M-disc is supposed to be good for 1000 years...

pidgeon92 · 10-09-2014, 06:55 PM

You mean like PDF vs. ePub vs. mobi? There was another thread on this topic recently. I think it's likely that as long as the internet is available, you should be able to find a converter for any of the currently available file formats.

crossi · 10-09-2014, 06:59 PM

No I was wondering about physical storage devices. The m-disk sounds good. I might have to buy a burner for a yearly backup of my data.

toomanybooks · 10-09-2014, 07:01 PM

The safest long term storage backup is multiple backup drives stored in different locations so if one is damaged or stolen you have not lost the data.

taustin · 10-09-2014, 07:14 PM

The safest long term storage media is to replace your updates on a regular basis. Keep an external back up hard drive or USB stick in a safe deposit box, and trade it out regularly. When one dies, replace it with the latest technology. When your computer dies, restore your data files from backups. That way, you're never dependent on old technology.

To be trite about it, proper backups are a journey, not a destination. You are never done with them.

pidgeon92 · 10-09-2014, 07:41 PM

Redundant, constant backups are essential to protecting data. I agree about not being dependent on old technology. I keep my data on my computer's hard drive, a local backup drive, and on Carbonite.

crossi · 10-09-2014, 07:59 PM

How often do you replace your physical drive? I'm worried about data degradation over time. I've heard you start losing data after 5 years or less depending on what you are using for storage.

pidgeon92 · 10-09-2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossi

How often do you replace your physical drive? I'm worried about data degradation over time. I've heard you start losing data after 5 years or less depending on what you are using for storage.

I replace mine when they die (and they do all go eventually). No sooner than that.

I'd say the oldest working hard drive I have right now is about 7 years old (an external drive that isn't used often).

I have replaced the hard drive in my oldest iMac (from 2007) 3 times already.

I haven't yet replaced the drive in my newest iMac (mid-2011), nor have I replaced the drive in my Macbook Pro (mid-2009). No data problems on either at this time.

murg · 10-10-2014, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossi

What is the safest longterm storage for digital files? Is there any research going on to find a format that will really be safe for a long while even if it is read only?

Considering that this is MobileRead, I'm going to assume that you want to back up your ebooks.

The safest way to do so is to buy the matching physical book, and put it on a shelf or in a box. Keep off the floor, so when the room floods (which it only will if you have boxes on the floor) the books don't get wet.

shalym · 10-10-2014, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murg

Considering that this is MobileRead, I'm going to assume that you want to back up your ebooks.

The safest way to do so is to but the matching physical book, and put it on a shelf or in a box. Keep off the floor, so when the room floods (which it only will if you have boxes on the floor) the books don't get wet.

So if the book is e-only, you're screwed? Or are books that aren't in print not worth backing up?

Shari

crossi · 10-10-2014, 08:29 AM

I was thinking more of something along these lines. Not only for my data but for archival storage of mass data for businesses and government.

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/...e-data-storage.

Won't be available anytime soon, but interesting.

Katsunami · 10-10-2014, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossi

No I was wondering about physical storage devices.

Have multiple hard drives, each with a copy of your files, and move to a newer drive and/or storage type every 5-10 years. Just don't wait until stuff starts crapping out in an unrecoverable way, or gets so old that it can't be used on a new computer anymore.

This has worked for me for the last 20 years or so. (Daayuum, I feel like I'm getting old....)

bgalbrecht · 10-10-2014, 10:13 AM

When you create the copies, make sure you compare the copies with the originals. I don't know the Kindle formats well enough, but if you are using ePub, the file format is really a zip file and contains checksums so you can readily see if the file is corrupted.

Katsunami · 10-10-2014, 11:54 AM

Transfer using rsync, or DeltaCopy (a Windows front-end for rsync) makes sure files will be transferred uncorrupted.

10-09-2014, 05:32 PM	#1
crossi Guru Posts: 997 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	Safe longterm storage What is the safest longterm storage for digital files? Is there any research going on to find a format that will really be safe for a long while even if it is read only?

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10-09-2014, 05:37 PM	#2
murg No Comment Posts: 3,240 Karma: 23878043 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Australia Device: Kobo: Not just an eReader, it's an adventure!	M-disc is supposed to be good for 1000 years...

10-09-2014, 06:55 PM	#3
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	You mean like PDF vs. ePub vs. mobi? There was another thread on this topic recently. I think it's likely that as long as the internet is available, you should be able to find a converter for any of the currently available file formats.

10-09-2014, 06:59 PM	#4
crossi Guru Posts: 997 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	No I was wondering about physical storage devices. The m-disk sounds good. I might have to buy a burner for a yearly backup of my data.

10-09-2014, 07:01 PM	#5
toomanybooks Addict Posts: 302 Karma: 1039424 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Ipad, Ipod Touch, KIndle Fire	The safest long term storage backup is multiple backup drives stored in different locations so if one is damaged or stolen you have not lost the data.

10-09-2014, 07:14 PM	#6
taustin Wizard Posts: 1,358 Karma: 5766642 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nook	The safest long term storage media is to replace your updates on a regular basis. Keep an external back up hard drive or USB stick in a safe deposit box, and trade it out regularly. When one dies, replace it with the latest technology. When your computer dies, restore your data files from backups. That way, you're never dependent on old technology. To be trite about it, proper backups are a journey, not a destination. You are never done with them.

10-09-2014, 07:41 PM	#7
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Redundant, constant backups are essential to protecting data. I agree about not being dependent on old technology. I keep my data on my computer's hard drive, a local backup drive, and on Carbonite.

10-09-2014, 07:59 PM	#8
crossi Guru Posts: 997 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	How often do you replace your physical drive? I'm worried about data degradation over time. I've heard you start losing data after 5 years or less depending on what you are using for storage.

10-10-2014, 08:29 AM	#12
crossi Guru Posts: 997 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	I was thinking more of something along these lines. Not only for my data but for archival storage of mass data for businesses and government. http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/...e-data-storage. Won't be available anytime soon, but interesting.

10-10-2014, 10:13 AM	#14
bgalbrecht Wizard Posts: 1,806 Karma: 13399999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Device: Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Clara HD, Kindle 4	When you create the copies, make sure you compare the copies with the originals. I don't know the Kindle formats well enough, but if you are using ePub, the file format is really a zip file and contains checksums so you can readily see if the file is corrupted.

10-10-2014, 11:54 AM	#15
Katsunami Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,111 Karma: 34000001 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: KPW1, KA1	Transfer using rsync, or DeltaCopy (a Windows front-end for rsync) makes sure files will be transferred uncorrupted.