CDs, DVDs Eyed For Long-Term Archival Use

Alien54 writes "Computer scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are launching an effort to develop specifications for 'archival quality' CD and DVD media that agencies could use to ensure the procurement of sufficiently robust media for their long-term archiving needs (i.e., 50 years and longer). See the press release at the NIST site." The research involves "...enclosed chambers that use temperature and humidity changes to artificially age the media some 20 years in only six weeks."

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Digital Short-comings

[locarecords.com]

The UK Parliament not so long ago debated the benefits of storage of Government documents and after heated arguments decided that digital was unproven and paper itself not good enough.. especially as they want records to last 500 years.

It shows that digital still has a long way to go compared to the current UK practice of printing on vellum... in other words goats skin !!!

Quote: "... we compare longevity of 250 or 500 years [of long-life paper] with the 1,500 years of vellum"