How to store digital files for posterity? (hundreds of years) (programming.dev)

submitted 7 months ago by anzo@programming.dev to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

37 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.eco.br/post/4492477

How to store digital files for posterity? (hundreds of years)

How to store digital files for posterity? (hundreds of years)

I have some family videos and audios and I want to physically save them for posterity so that it lasts for periods like 200 years and more. This allows great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to have access.

From the research I did, I found that the longest-lasting way to physically store digital content is through CD-R gold discs, but it may only last 100 years. From what I researched, the average lifespan of HDs and SSDs is no more than 10 years.

I came to the conclusion that the only way to ensure that the files really pass from generation to generation is to record them on CDs and distribute them to the family, asking them to make copies from time to time.

It's crazy to think that if there were suddenly a mass extinction of the human species, intelligent beings arriving on Earth in 1000 years would probably not be able to access our digital content. While cave paintings would probably remain in the same place.

What is your opinion?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] Glass0448@lemmy.today 17 points 7 months ago

@Clinico@lemmy.eco.br The M-DISC is your solution. Then just keep it in a cool dry place, airtight plastic bag if possible, and it will last longer than people will remember you.

Also, make sure to store a **desktop **computer in an airtight container next to your disks. If you have spare cash then get backup parts for the computer and keep them in their factory anti-static bags. No GPU needed, get a CPU with an integrated GPU.

Finally, in my opinion, information survives longer when it's wanted. Get a big monitor, slap it against a wall, plug in a mini fanless PC, and have a random slideshow running during your waking hours. Let family add to the living slide show, teach them how to access the family NAS drive, show them how to access the archival disks in the basement, show them how to make new archival disks as they generate data to add to the family archives of house Clinico.