Adelaide, 31st August 2004 Dear List, I read an article in the July issue of Family History Magazine regarding the lifespan of CD-Rs. It seems that the dyes in the recording layer fade after as little as two years. Rewritable discs use metallic dyes and do not have the same problem. Recordable DVDs have the same problem and "such views are echoed by the National Archives at Kew", according to the article. I have been using CD-Rs for my genealogy records, but cannot find much up to date information (that I can understand) on the web. What is the opinion of the list experts. Regards, Terry

Terry, >I read an article in the July issue of Family History Magazine regarding the >lifespan of CD-Rs. It seems that the dyes in the recording layer fade after >as little as two years. Rewritable discs use metallic dyes and do not have >the same problem. Recordable DVDs have the same problem and "such views are >echoed by the National Archives at Kew", according to the article. > >I have been using CD-Rs for my genealogy records, but cannot find much up to >date information (that I can understand) on the web. The longevity of CD-R, CD-RW and DVD issue has been a matter of debate since their introduction. There are many factors that come into play as to how long the data will last. Such as, storage conditions, heat, cold, humidity, sunlight and even handling. Another important factor is the manufacturing. (Usually those made in Taiwan are considered better than those made in Japan. Read the small print on the label! ) The best advice is to buy a good quality CD, handle it properly and store it under the recommend conditions (ie keep it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and store it laying flat (NOT on edge)). If the above is followed, it should last a lifetime or more. Hope this helps. Art

Yes Terry this appears to be a big problem, I have all my photo's & family history stored on CD. & had hoped it would be available for my grandchildren, & their children, but it looks like this is not the case. & who's to know, that in 20 years time, there will be anything to read them? (WHAT DO WE STORE OUR GOODIES ON.)??? I took note that 50% of my slides had degenerated over the last 30 odd years, to a standard that would take to much time to recover. thank the lord I had taken some black & white photo's as well! then we come to all those super 8 movies what do we do with them? But what ever it is we should do it in the next few years. ever tried to get a spare for that old projector? They say even the modern paper & ink has only a life of 10 years. & our generation thinks it is so clever. I think we should take a few tips from our ancestors don't you? FOOD FOR THOUGHT, Hope some one out there can come up with a few idea's I think we are all in the same boat with this one. Regards Arthur South Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "Teresa" <terry3112@dodo.com.au> To: <GEN-COMP-TIPS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 4:32 PM Subject: [Gen-Comp-Tips] WRITING TO CD-R & CD-RW > Adelaide, 31st August 2004 > > Dear List, > > I read an article in the July issue of Family History Magazine regarding the > lifespan of CD-Rs. It seems that the dyes in the recording layer fade after > as little as two years. Rewritable discs use metallic dyes and do not have > the same problem. Recordable DVDs have the same problem and "such views are > echoed by the National Archives at Kew", according to the article. > > I have been using CD-Rs for my genealogy records, but cannot find much up to > date information (that I can understand) on the web. > > What is the opinion of the list experts. > > Regards, Terry > > > ==== GEN-COMP-TIPS Mailing List ==== > DO NOT open unexpected file attachments from people, even if you know them. Verify with the sender first. This may be your only line of defence, other than AV Software, against mail "viruses" > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >