OT: Re: thumb drives (was Re: [AT] computer problems

[Mike Sloane]

That old wives tale about not marking on the CD/DVDs has been pretty 
well refuted in the trade - it turns out that the solvents used in the 
label glue do far more damage than the water based inks used in the 
marking pens labeled "ASTM D-4236". Even the popular "Sharpie" pens, 
which use solvent based ink, turn out to do no damage, as the solvent 
evaporates before it can penetrate the outer layer of the CD.

Mike


Larry D. Goss wrote:
> Hey, Mike, there's a published standard for librarians that you would
> probably find interesting.  It covers all the magnetic and optical media
> including things that we lowly consumers can only dream about being able
> to do in the future --all the way up to quad level recording for DVD's.
> It gives all the do's and don'ts for handling, marking, storing, etc,
> and gives the recording standards. Among other things it says to never,
> NEVER, mark directly on a CD or DVD disk with anything.  Always use
> preprinted labels.  Once you see the mechanical structure of the disks,
> you can understand why.    If there's interest, I'll look up the URL and
> post it for you all.  It's around 50 pages long.
> 
> Larry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike Sloane
> Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 5:32 AM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: OT: thumb drives (was Re: [AT] computer problems
> 
> Thumb drives are great for "sneakernet" file transfers, but data I have 
> seen shows that they have very poor reliability in terms of long term 
> storage - almost as bad as floppies. If you you have valuable files you 
> must not lose, trust your archives to high quality CD-R or DVD-R media, 
> or public backup sites. Good quality optical media will last damn near 
> forever if handled properly, and the cost is very low - under $1/disc 
> for the best - and you can get decent drives that will do both CD-R and 
> double sided DVD-R for under $100.
> 
> Mike
> 

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane at verizon.net
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, 
and there is some evidence that they can't read them either. -Gore Vidal 
(1925- )


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