Transferring data - but don't trust your media

[David]

On Sat, Aug 20, 2005 at 03:11:59PM +0100, Norman Silverstone wrote:
> On Sat, 2005-08-20 at 13:30 +0200, Magnus Runesson wrote:
> > On Sat, 2005-08-20 at 12:20 +0100, Norman Silverstone wrote:
> > > grown, with a single photograph often taking up over 2Mb. So, tell me
> > 
> > 
> > I would rather rader recommend a USB-memory stick than CD or DVD. It is
> > smaller in pyhsical size. It is also easier to add and erase files. Just
> > put the stick in you USB-connector and use Nautilus to drag and drop
> > your files.
> 
> The memory stick satisfies the transfer of data very well but what about
> storing the data for use some time in the future? If I needed a
> collection of sticks I suppose this would be quite expensive.


>From sad experience I would never rely on a floppy to save data. I've got 
a whole draw full of dead floppies with important data on them :( despite 
the fact that I'm very careful storing them.

CD's are a better idea, BUT........

An aquaintenance of mine had her only copy of 3 years work stored on a CD, 
which she then lent to a "friend" who apparently used it as a dinner 
plate. It came back with grease and scratches.

I was able to read most of the data (about 95%), but some is gone for 
ever.  

CD's are not perfect storage media.