how good is the data reliability with CD ROM and DVD RAM?

[Zane Healy]

> On Jul 22, 2018, at 6:08 PM, Paul Koning <paulkoning at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> On Jul 22, 2018, at 4:06 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
>> 
>>> ...
>> 
>> I’ve failed to see any reason behind your questions.  If you’re looking for a long-term archival solution, look to cloud storage (either on-prem, or off-prem).  Sure tape is cheap, but when you start looking at other costs, such as storage and handling, it becomes expensive.
> 
> Cloud storage as in "handled by some cloud company" is only as good as the longevity of that company.  If it shuts down suddenly because of poor management or fraud, your data is almost certainly gone.  Or it might end up disclosed to whoever pays pennies on the dollar for the company assets.
> 
> On premises, sure, but now it's just a question of what medium you like.  Those storage devices probably use disks, or maybe flash storage.  How long do those last?  For example, take a look at the "power off" retention time spec for flash storage, it's surprisingly short.  And how long is the relevant software available?  (That's a concern for any kind of digital storage, of course.)

There are only a couple cloud companies I’d recommend storing data with, for precisely the reasons you give.  Storing with two would be advisable.  Or a hybrid on and off premises approach.  For my photography archives, I’m taking a hybrid approach, recent changes are backed up to Drobo, everything is cloned and kept offsite, and then all photo’s are also sent to Cloud Storage.  Once you start planning for Backups as part of your storage purchases, it becomes easier to handle.

On premises has the exact same problem as tape.  You must have a refresh plan.  That’s the advantage of off prem, you don’t have to worry about refresh.

For archives to be done right, you need at least two copies, excellent documentation, and a solid refresh plan.

Zane