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

submitted 6 months ago by anzo@programming.dev to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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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?

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[-] cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 6 months ago

SLC NOR flash often has a typical rating of 100 years at 25°C, but only 20 years at maximum operating temperature is guaranteed. These flash chips are a few megabytes or less and are used for storing firmware in embedded devices. They are often written once and expected to retain their data for the lifetime of the device without having the ability to automatically rewrite blocks that are loosing their charge like an SSD.