[ale] [OT] Lifespan of Storage Devices

[Erik Mathis]

par2 is some really hot stuff. I've recovered entire movies using just
one of twohundred rar files completely recovering from par2. Of course
it can take the better part of a day to recover a high def movie.

For offsite backups, I've used these cool little drives.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822161079
I'd prolly also store a USB card with the drives (who knows if USB
will be around in 10 years)

In your case, I'd use one hdd for the real data and par2 files. Then
also put par2 files on a DVD. If my life depended on it, I'd double up
that effort.

Storing of any media long term depends on of course environmental
conditions. I'll let you google that tho I did fish this out of my
bookmarks http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/opticalmedialongevity.html lots
of good info on this subject.
Those little moister absorbing packets should be included where ever
you store them. Also capping off the USB connector might also be a
good idea.

You could always print it all out ;)

Good Luck!

-Erik-

On Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 2:49 PM, Phil Turmel <philip at turmel.org> wrote:
> On 07/28/2012 02:18 PM, JD wrote:
>
> [trim /]
>
>> For really critical data, keep a local backup, a remote backup 3 states away and
>> local optical backup with par2 files to watch for bitrot.  At the first sign of
>> bitrot on any of the media, I assume they will all fail shortly and switch in
>> new media. Reburning a fresh optical disk with new par2 files finishes out this
>> safety net.  There are probably more copies of this critical data around, but I
>> only maintain 3.  These are backups, not the hot-copy used daily. If I were
>> backing up DVDs or Bluray media, the original media disks would never be touched
>> by anyone after the backup copies were made the same day the new media arrived.
>>
>> The availability of par2 files has saved some important family photos and home
>> movies about 5 times the last 10 yrs.  dd_rescue (or the other version) is not
>> enough.
>
> Thank you!  I've been thinking about writing a Reed-Solomon file
> reconstructor tool, not realizing it has already been done.
>
> "par2" is now added to my toolbox.
>
> Phil
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> Ale at ale.org
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo