Fragile Media: the myth of the 100 year CD-Rom

This article is a great example of how easily we can lose digital content through poor selection of storage mediums. The progression of technology often motivates institutions to move from one storage medium to another through forced obcolesence. However it is interesting to note that new and "improved" mediums do not always deliver the same level of functionality. Ironically, many libraries who initially began migrating data to digital repositories under the banner of "economy" have found that it is too costly to keep up with technology and are using microfilm and acid-free paper to back up digital content. The "myth of the 100 year CD-Rom" is a good example of how we've been sold a potentially disastrous product for digital preservation on many levels whether it's personal photos, or important research data. When you compare the potential preservation value of a CD-Rom with an undetermined shelf life beginning at only two years, all of a sudden keeping paper records doesn't seem too bad.

Malda, R. The Myth of the 100 Year CD-Rom
http://www.rense.com/general52/themythofthe100year.htm