which backup medium do you prefer?

cantab · 06-14-2010, 03:31 AM

DVDs can also fail without warning.

A DVD burner is pretty cheap, and I'd say worth getting if your computer is a desktop, especially if it currently lacks even a DVD reader.

H_TeXMeX_H · 06-14-2010, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantab

DVDs can also fail without warning.

Um, how is that ?

I'd think they can fail if you drop them, or smash them with something, yes, but without warning ? How is that ?

newbiesforever · 07-04-2010, 01:07 PM

[Text removed to start a new thread.]

catkin · 07-04-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H_TeXMeX_H

I'd think they can fail if you drop them, or smash them with something, yes, but without warning ? How is that?

I don't know exactly but they do and not rarely enough. Sometimes root-like patterns can be seen reaching from the outer edge, between the see-through and shiny parts. Oxidation? Something alive? Sometimes they look perfect but cannot be read in their entirety.

H_TeXMeX_H · 07-04-2010, 03:35 PM

Must be disks that are not stored properly. I have disks that are quite old, and they read just fine. Of course, it also depends on media quality. A lot of factors go into it, but overall I think DVDs are the best backup medium for regular users. Tapes are an option, but they're harder to find and are susceptible to magnets.

newbiesforever · 07-04-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H_TeXMeX_H

Must be disks that are not stored properly. I have disks that are quite old, and they read just fine. Of course, it also depends on media quality. A lot of factors go into it, but overall I think DVDs are the best backup medium for regular users. Tapes are an option, but they're harder to find and are susceptible to magnets.

Are DVDs not CDs with a larger capacity? Do they use something different from and superior to this crystalline matrix thing I'm that told CDs use?

cantab · 07-04-2010, 04:39 PM

DVDs are similar to CDs. A factor that may make DVDs more long-lived is that in a CD the data layer is right under the label (I've lost commercial disks to label-side damage), while in a DVD the data layer is in the middle with polycarbonate both sides.

H_TeXMeX_H · 07-05-2010, 04:12 AM

You can use CDs too, if you have little stuff to backup.

dakoder · 07-06-2010, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H_TeXMeX_H

You can use CDs too, if you have little stuff to backup.

or a floppy fat12 disk can be used for the whole operating system and applications if your using menuetOS .....he he

Graham