Re: archival storage of CDs
My sense is that more and more institutions are beginning to store image master files on servers rather than offline on CDs or some other medium. We started with offline CD storage, in duplicate, using the "archival" mitsui/mam-e gold CDs. We recently loaded these files onto an image server and only 1 CD out of about 500 was unreadable (fortunately the duplicate was fine). Our most vexing problem is backing up the server files. We could just rely on the RAID 5 configuration on the server to protect us from a hard drive failure, but there is an outside chance that two or more disks could fail at the same time (the scenario would be some kind of disaster like fire, flood, etc.). So we do want a second copy of each file offline (and off-site). For the volume of data to be backed up (1 Terabyte and counting), tape is expensive--you need an automated tape library system, which is out of our reach. So we are going with external hard drives. These come in many flavors (some have fans for cooling, some have a version of RAID, some are network-attached and some are standalone, etc.). We are using external drives made by Seagate. The capacity is anywhere from 160 GB up to 400 GB. Western Digital makes similar devices. There are other manufacturers (e.g. LaCie) but I've been advised that the hard disks used in some of these devices are of lower quality than those made by Seagate and Western Digital (and perhaps a few others). It is also possible to purchase the external hard drive enclosure, and purchase and install the hard drives oneself. When a file is archived we copy it to the server and to the off-line hard drive. There is a period of time when the external drive is not filled yet and remains on-site, where theoretically it is vulnerable to the same kind of catastrophe that could nix the server. But we feel it is a relatively small risk. However we do use the smaller- capacity drives (which are a bit more expensive per gigabyte than the higher capacity drives) so they fill up and get out the door to offsite storage more quickly. I often wonder if we are going totally overboard with this. It is very expensive to purchase and maintain the hardware, and very difficult and time consuming for staff to implement and maintain the procedures required. What we are storing is not original art work, just images of the art work. I've heard some people say it would be cheaper and easier to just re-create the digital archive, in case of a loss, than it is to fastidiously maintain the archive through time. I suppose we've concluded, at least for now, that though this might be true, we prefer to minimize handling the collection as much as possible, so we are committed to maintaining the archive. Will Real Carnegie Museum of Art >>> remko.janson...@vizcayamuseum.org 12/30/2005 10:18 AM >>> After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images * = scanned, shot, donated. It's time to put the master files in storage.Is = there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? Is = there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel boxes = (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD drawers/bo= xes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? Any and all = comments are appreciated! * and a good new year to all! Remko JansoniusCol= lections and Archives ManagerVizcaya Museum & Gardens3251 South Miami = AvenueMiami, FL 33129t: 305-860-8433f: 305-250-9117www.vizcayamuseum.org = miamidade.gov"Delivering Excellence Every Day" Miami-Dade County is a = public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning = public records. E-mail messages and their attachments are covered under = such laws and thus subject to disclosure. All e-mail sent to and received = at this address is captured by Miami-Dade County servers and kept as a = public record.=20 --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
Re: archival storage of CDs
I'm going to jump in here...We did a lot of scanning and digital photography when I was at the Whitney, eventually we wound up with 400+ 'archival' CD's of 20 meg or so scans that had been made to document portions of the collection and to be used in the collections database. After a couple of years images could not be retrieved from several of them. A server was purchased for the sole purpose of archiving these digital files that were valuable to us (and expensive to produce!). Servers that are regularly backed up seem to be the safest place to archive your image files and be able to expect to have them for the long term. If you can't buy one for that purpose yourself, I recommend sending it out to a service agency. SuzanneOn Jan 3, 2006, at 9:57 AM, Jeff Evans wrote:I second most of what's been said. We are currently involved in a large digitization process delivered entirely on CD. Archival CD is a bit of a marketing term these days but you can do preventative things such as not writing on the discs and handle them very carefully of course. Don't sweat the case decision. We opted not to buy the expensive "archival" CD file boxes. Our files do live on and are deployed from a server, but DVD is a good way to eliminate the volume of CDs if that is a problem. I would recommend basing your decisions on how your users are going to "recall" these images. Will it be electronic, or will someone be actually pulling these discs from a shelf and loading them when needed. Servers (or even network attached storage device) are coming down in price to compete with any CD or DVD jukebox. DVDs are about to make a change to HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray DVD, but these will mostly service the video and HD video industry that will demand speed and space all on one disc. So I am unsure if it will affect flat image storage anytime soon.JEFF Jeffrey EvansDigital Imaging SpecialistPrinceton University Art Museum609.258.8579 On Jan 3, 2006, at 9:06 AM, Mike Rippy wrote:I agree with Deborah as well. But if you cant afford a large hard drive or the systems to run it, I would suggest finding some more "archival" types of cds to store your files on. Such as, http://www.mam-a.com/Default.htm dvds or cds. Until the price of hard drive and systems drop more to your price range (which continue to drop at a good rate). But be sure to maintain some standardization on your naming, file structure (now or future), and what has been mentioned in the other posts. Implemeting a system and migrating data to that new system (and the new system after that) requires properly standardizing your data from file name to file format to metadata, etc. Your job is to stay on top of the changes. So just remaining aware of how technology is changing will keep your files moving. Michael RippyAssistant PhotographerIndianapolis Museum of Art4000 Michigan RoadIndianapolis, IN, USA 46208-3326(317)920-2662 ext.191 www.ima-art.orgmri...@ima-art.org >>> remko.janson...@vizcayamuseum.org 12/30/2005 10:18 AM >>>After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images ? scanned, shot, donated. It?s time to put the master files in storage.Is there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? Is there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel boxes (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD drawers/boxes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? Any and all comments are appreciated! ? and a good new year to all! Remko JansoniusCollections and Archives ManagerVizcaya Museum & Gardens3251 South Miami AvenueMiami, FL 33129t: 305-860-8433f: 305-250-9117www.vizcayamuseum.org miamidade.gov"Delivering Excellence Every Day" Miami-Dade County is a public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning public records. E-mail messages and their attachments are covered under such laws and thus subject to disclosure. All e-mail sent to and received at this address is captured by Miami-Dade County servers and kept as a public record. --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: mri...@ima-art.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-327179...@listserver.americaneagle.com--- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: jfev...@princeton.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-116899...@listserver.americaneagle.com --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: squi...@panix.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12798...@listserver.americaneagle.com --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
Re: archival storage of CDs
I second most of what's been said. We are currently involved in a large digitization process delivered entirely on CD. Archival CD is a bit of a marketing term these days but you can do preventative things such as not writing on the discs and handle them very carefully of course. Don't sweat the case decision. We opted not to buy the expensive "archival" CD file boxes. Our files do live on and are deployed from a server, but DVD is a good way to eliminate the volume of CDs if that is a problem. I would recommend basing your decisions on how your users are going to "recall" these images. Will it be electronic, or will someone be actually pulling these discs from a shelf and loading them when needed. Servers (or even network attached storage device) are coming down in price to compete with any CD or DVD jukebox. DVDs are about to make a change to HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray DVD, but these will mostly service the video and HD video industry that will demand speed and space all on one disc. So I am unsure if it will affect flat image storage anytime soon.JEFF Jeffrey EvansDigital Imaging SpecialistPrinceton University Art Museum609.258.8579 On Jan 3, 2006, at 9:06 AM, Mike Rippy wrote:I agree with Deborah as well. But if you cant afford a large hard drive or the systems to run it, I would suggest finding some more "archival" types of cds to store your files on. Such as, http://www.mam-a.com/Default.htm dvds or cds. Until the price of hard drive and systems drop more to your price range (which continue to drop at a good rate). But be sure to maintain some standardization on your naming, file structure (now or future), and what has been mentioned in the other posts. Implemeting a system and migrating data to that new system (and the new system after that) requires properly standardizing your data from file name to file format to metadata, etc. Your job is to stay on top of the changes. So just remaining aware of how technology is changing will keep your files moving. Michael RippyAssistant PhotographerIndianapolis Museum of Art4000 Michigan RoadIndianapolis, IN, USA 46208-3326(317)920-2662 ext.191 www.ima-art.orgmri...@ima-art.org >>> remko.janson...@vizcayamuseum.org 12/30/2005 10:18 AM >>>After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images ? scanned, shot, donated. It?s time to put the master files in storage.Is there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? Is there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel boxes (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD drawers/boxes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? Any and all comments are appreciated! ? and a good new year to all! Remko JansoniusCollections and Archives ManagerVizcaya Museum & Gardens3251 South Miami AvenueMiami, FL 33129t: 305-860-8433f: 305-250-9117www.vizcayamuseum.org miamidade.gov"Delivering Excellence Every Day" Miami-Dade County is a public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning public records. E-mail messages and their attachments are covered under such laws and thus subject to disclosure. All e-mail sent to and received at this address is captured by Miami-Dade County servers and kept as a public record. --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: mri...@ima-art.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-327179...@listserver.americaneagle.com--- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: jfev...@princeton.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-116899...@listserver.americaneagle.com --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
Re: archival storage of CDs
Re: archival storage of CDs
Well said, Deborah. I think that the current argument against DVD storage right now is that the current format of DVDs is about to hit its first bump on the road to obsolesence. Rumor mill says that the makers of digital media storage formats are about to release a media type to replace the current DVD with one with even higher storage capacity. I'm not certain if this format is just an even more compressed type of DVD disk or if it's a completely different duck. Anyone know for sure? But while I don't believe that the DVD will become obsolete within 3-5 years, I suspect that we may have problems in 10 years. Personally, I'm more in favor of hard drive and tape backups, since those seem to have more "staying power" thus far than other forms of storage. Perian Sully Collection Database and Records Administrator Judah L. Magnes Museum 2911 Russell Street Berkeley, CA 94705 - Original Message - From: "Deborah Wythe" To: Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 4:40 PM Subject: RE: archival storage of CDs > For anyone looking for "archival" storage of image (or any files) on CDs or > DVDs, consider this: while manufacturers make various claims for longevity > of the media, there is no assurance that the equipment will be available to > read that particular disc in 25 or 50 years (or even 5 or 10). Remember 8 > track tapes? Remember 8" floppies or even 5.25" floppies? > > Keep in mind, also, that there's a strong likelihood that you're going to > have to migrate to a new "standard" file format down the road. Where is it > easier to manage your files--on a big network drive or on hundreds > (thousands?) of CDs, DVDs, and other removable media? A stable, secure > network, good file management, regular tape backups, decent metadata, and > error checking software will keep them as safe as we can hope for at this > early stage in the digital world. > > You can store CDs and DVDs in stable, climate controlled storage, in > acid-free sleeves or non-reactive plastic cases, but none of this will make > them an "archival" backup. Archival means permanent, or as near as we can > get to it. It's pretty easy to define what makes a paper document "archival" > and store it in such a way that it'll be usable for the next century (at > least). We're in the early stages of defining "archival" for digital files: > keep your eye on what's going on in the digital preservation world and > follow in the big guys' footsteps as much as you can. > > [The former archivist will now step off her soapbox!] > Deb Wythe > > Deborah Wythe > Brooklyn Museum > Head, Digital Collections and Services > 200 Eastern Parkway > Brooklyn, NY 11238 > tel: 718 501 6311 > fax: 718 501 6125 > email: deborahwy...@hotmail.com > > Original Message Follows > From: > Reply-To: mcn-l@mcn.edu > To: mcn-l@mcn.edu > Subject: RE: archival storage of CDs > Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 20:16:00 > > Why aren't dvd's good for storage? > > Lesley > > > -Original Message- > > From: "Han, Yan" > Subj: RE: archival storage of CDs > Date: Mon Jan 2, 2006 7:32 pm > Size: 1K > To: mcn-l@mcn.edu > > Why do you want to use CDs to store images. The maximum size of a CD is 700 > MB, only good for a few digital images. > > We use hard drives only. (Forget about DVDs,they are not good for long-term > storage). > > > -Original Message- > From: Jansonius, Remko (Vizcaya) [mailto:remko.janson...@vizcayamuseum.org] > Sent: 2005-12-30 ( ÇÆÚÎå) 8:18 > To: mcn-l@mcn.edu > Cc: > Subject: archival storage of CDs > > After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images - > scanned, shot, donated. It's time to put the master files in storage. > > Is there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? > Is there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel > boxes (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD > drawers/boxes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? > > > > Any and all comments are appreciated! > > > > ... and a good new year to all! > > > > > > Remko Jansonius > > Collections and Archives Manager > > Vizcaya Museum & Gardens > > 3251 South Miami Avenue > > Miami, FL 33129 > > t: 305-860-8433 > > f: 305-250-9117 > > www.vizcayamuseum.org > > > > miamidade.gov > > "Delivering Excellence Every Day" > > > > Miami-Dade County is a public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the > Florida Statutes concerning public records. E-mail messages and their > attac
Re: archival storage of CDs
For anyone looking for "archival" storage of image (or any files) on CDs or DVDs, consider this: while manufacturers make various claims for longevity of the media, there is no assurance that the equipment will be available to read that particular disc in 25 or 50 years (or even 5 or 10). Remember 8 track tapes? Remember 8" floppies or even 5.25" floppies? Keep in mind, also, that there's a strong likelihood that you're going to have to migrate to a new "standard" file format down the road. Where is it easier to manage your files--on a big network drive or on hundreds (thousands?) of CDs, DVDs, and other removable media? A stable, secure network, good file management, regular tape backups, decent metadata, and error checking software will keep them as safe as we can hope for at this early stage in the digital world. You can store CDs and DVDs in stable, climate controlled storage, in acid-free sleeves or non-reactive plastic cases, but none of this will make them an "archival" backup. Archival means permanent, or as near as we can get to it. It's pretty easy to define what makes a paper document "archival" and store it in such a way that it'll be usable for the next century (at least). We're in the early stages of defining "archival" for digital files: keep your eye on what's going on in the digital preservation world and follow in the big guys' footsteps as much as you can. [The former archivist will now step off her soapbox!] Deb Wythe Deborah Wythe Brooklyn Museum Head, Digital Collections and Services 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238 tel: 718 501 6311 fax: 718 501 6125 email: deborahwy...@hotmail.com Original Message Follows From: Reply-To: mcn-l@mcn.edu To: mcn-l@mcn.edu Subject: RE: archival storage of CDs Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 20:16:00 Why aren't dvd's good for storage? Lesley -Original Message- From: "Han, Yan" Subj: RE: archival storage of CDs Date: Mon Jan 2, 2006 7:32 pm Size: 1K To: mcn-l@mcn.edu Why do you want to use CDs to store images. The maximum size of a CD is 700 MB, only good for a few digital images. We use hard drives only. (Forget about DVDs,they are not good for long-term storage). -Original Message- From: Jansonius, Remko (Vizcaya) [mailto:remko.janson...@vizcayamuseum.org] Sent: 2005-12-30 ( ÇÆÚÎå) 8:18 To: mcn-l@mcn.edu Cc: Subject:archival storage of CDs After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images - scanned, shot, donated. It's time to put the master files in storage. Is there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? Is there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel boxes (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD drawers/boxes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? Any and all comments are appreciated! ... and a good new year to all! Remko Jansonius Collections and Archives Manager Vizcaya Museum & Gardens 3251 South Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33129 t: 305-860-8433 f: 305-250-9117 www.vizcayamuseum.org miamidade.gov "Delivering Excellence Every Day" Miami-Dade County is a public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning public records. E-mail messages and their attachments are covered under such laws and thus subject to disclosure. All e-mail sent to and received at this address is captured by Miami-Dade County servers and kept as a public record. --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: h...@u.library.arizona.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: les...@copyrightlaws.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com Lesley Ellen Harris (from my Treo) --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: deborahwy...@hotmail.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
Re: archival storage of CDs
Why do you want to use CDs to store images. The maximum size of a CD is 700 MB, only good for a few digital images. We use hard drives only. (Forget about DVDs,they are not good for long-term storage). -Original Message- From: Jansonius, Remko (Vizcaya) [mailto:remko.janson...@vizcayamuseum.org] Sent: 2005-12-30 (星期五) 8:18 To: mcn-l@mcn.edu Cc: Subject:archival storage of CDs After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images - scanned, shot, donated. It's time to put the master files in storage. Is there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? Is there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel boxes (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD drawers/boxes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? Any and all comments are appreciated! ... and a good new year to all! Remko Jansonius Collections and Archives Manager Vizcaya Museum & Gardens 3251 South Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33129 t: 305-860-8433 f: 305-250-9117 www.vizcayamuseum.org miamidade.gov "Delivering Excellence Every Day" Miami-Dade County is a public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning public records. E-mail messages and their attachments are covered under such laws and thus subject to disclosure. All e-mail sent to and received at this address is captured by Miami-Dade County servers and kept as a public record. --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: h...@u.library.arizona.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
archival storage of CDs
After a year on the job I have collected loads of digital images – scanned, shot, donated. It’s time to put the master files in storage. Is there a general consensus on what materials to use? What type of CDs? Is there a specific pro or con to use CD envelops (compacter) or jewel boxes (more rigid)? Does anyone have good experiences with specific CD drawers/boxes/cabinets? Is there anything I am overlooking here? Any and all comments are appreciated! … and a good new year to all! Remko Jansonius Collections and Archives Manager Vizcaya Museum & Gardens 3251 South Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33129 t: 305-860-8433 f: 305-250-9117 www.vizcayamuseum.org miamidade.gov "Delivering Excellence Every Day" Miami-Dade County is a public entity, subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning public records. E-mail messages and their attachments are covered under such laws and thus subject to disclosure. All e-mail sent to and received at this address is captured by Miami-Dade County servers and kept as a public record. --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
