Ask Slashdot: What's the Best Way To Preserve a "Digital Inheritance"?

First time accepted submitter ron-l-j writes "The last few months a digital inheritance idea has been floating around in my head, and I am sure the thought has crossed your mind as well. With Google talking about the inactive account program it made me wonder, how do I make sure my children get my iTunes, and amazon movies? I have plenty of mp4 movies on my server that will just set itself to admin with no password after I do not log in within a 6 month time frame. But what about the huge amount spent on digital content every year? What's the best way to make sure your "digital inheritance" gets passed down?"

Comments

Re:license not goods

[PhotoJim]

I buy all my stuff on physical CDs and DVDs/Blu-Ray discs and then rip it (in the case of my music) for a few reasons, but this is a big one.

If ever I want to give away the media, I can - whether I'm alive or dead. No confusion, no complication.

Re:Children don't like their parents music

[Joce640k]

Well for my generation my parent's music collection is vinyl. It has some value beyond musical.

I'd check out the prices of vinyl on eBay before making that judgement...

Warning: You may be disappointed.

Re:Make a list

[SirGarlon]

I took a somewhat different approach. I keep all my passwords in an encrypted database (I like Password Gorilla). I wrote the password to this database, and the login password to my home PC, on a slip of paper and put it in a safe deposit box at my bank.

The safe deposit box uses two-factor authentication: you have to possess the key, and you need a photo ID identifying you as an authorized user of the box.

I prefer this approach because it is not reliant on human memory. I am not carrying a list of passwords around with me to be found by a stranger if I ever lose my keychain. It is also robust in the event I forget my "master" password, which could happen if I were disabled and went without using it for a few months. I can change who has access to the passwords through my will: currently my wife has access, but it could just as easily be the executor of my estate.

Re:You don't own

[captaindomon]

I agree completely with parent. There is a difference between passing an inheritance to your children and providing access. I can leave the keys to my house to my children, but that doesn't mean the legal possession of the house will pass to them. Very different concepts.