Posted by MarkB_MI on July 14, 2014 at 17:36:00 from (70.194.9.137):
In Reply to: OT Computer Question posted by KSwillie on July 14, 2014 at 06:54:35:
Lots of discussion about different archive media formats. Two things to consider when archiving files: 1. Will the media be readable when I need to recover the files on it? 2. Will I be able to read the media with the hardware and software I'm likely to have on hand when I need my files?
Magnetic media tends to "lose bits" over time. Even though errors can be corrected by reading the checksum, at a certain point the errors become too numerous to correct. When magnetic tape was the storage media of choice, tapes would be re-recorded periodically to refresh the data. Likewise when hard disk drives are used for archive. If you don't want to periodically refresh them, you probably shouldn't use hard disks for archive storage. Not to mention that a hard disk that's been sitting on the shelf for years may not want to spin up.
I'm pretty sure that non-volatile memory devices such as USB "thumb drives" and SD cards have similar problems to magnetic media when it comes to long-term storage. Good for short-term backup, but not so good for long-term archive.
These days, about the best storage media you can get are archive-grade DVD-Rs. They are pricey, but have a 100 year life, making them comparable to microfilm for longevity.
The ability to read media after we record on it is something we take for granted, but we shouldn't. Anybody have a 5-1/4" floppy disk drive on their PC? Or even a 3-1/2"? It was only a few years ago the 3-1/2" floppy disk was THE standard media for Mac and PC. I haven't seen a floppy disk drive on a PC in years. And there were a dozen or more floppy formats that came and went before the 3-1/2" format was standardized.
Think you'll be able to read a hard disk in the future? After all, they're all ATA, right? Guess again: If you have an "old" parallel ATA drive on the shelf, chances are your current PC is serial ATA only and you'll need an adapter to read the PATA drive. Likewise, we assume USB will be around for a long time. Yes it will, but future USB implementations may make it difficult to read USB 1.0 and 2.0 devices. And eventually USB will hit a wall and be replaced by something faster. The reason 9-track tape had such a long life in the IT industry was there was plenty of hardware around that could read it. Meanwhile dozens of tape cartridge formats have come and gone.
As for cloud-based storage, you should keep a copy of your most valuable data off-site in case of a real disaster. But if you just want to keep a copy of every photo and video you've shot, the cloud isn't so practical. It's faster to burn a DVD than to upload 4.7 gigabytes to the cloud.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Hydraulics - Cylinder Anatomy - by Curtis von Fange. Let’s make one more addition to our series on hydraulics. I’ve noticed a few questions in the comment section that could pertain to hydraulic cylinders so I thought we could take a short look at this real workhorse of the circuit. Cylinders are the reason for the hydraulic circuit. They take the fluid power delivered from the pump and magically change it into mechanical power. There are many types of cylinders that one might run across on a farm scenario. Each one could take a chapter in
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
