Essay, Research Paper: Data Storage

Whoops, there goes another
CD-ROM
by Laura Tangley

This article discusses the durability and longevity of some of todays modern forms
of data storage. There is a big problem with the way data is being stored. The new forms
of data storage, such as the CD-ROM and Magnetic tapes are not withstanding the test of
time. The Magnetic tape has been around for some thirty some years and there have
already been many problems with the preservation of these tapes. NASA and many other
government organizations have had problems with these tapes. The magnetic coating that
the 1s and 0s of digital code are stored on, are separating from their backing, making it
impossible to decipher the data stored on them. The same problem is arising with
CD-ROM's. Some CD's don't even last five years. Another problem people are facing is
that the software and hardware needed to encode the data on these old forms of data
recording are becoming obsolete. If there is no means to retrieve this information, the
tapes are useless. These are just some of the problems we are facing as we continue our
journey through the information age. It's becoming more and more apparent that the only
reliable way of saving data is the good ol' fashion paper. Data technicians are trying to
find a form of data storage that will last well into the 21st century, but so far they aren't
having much luck.