Data Storage - Time capsule

[steveg]

As part of our building work, the children will be burying a time capsule not long after the Easter break. One of the things they want to put in it is a video they have made about the school, and a lot of photos of the school.

 

What do you think is the best storage media to use for this? It is going to be in an air tight sealed box, but the data has to last at least 20 - 25 years (the school has just turned 50 so its likely it could be dug up when the school is 75)

 

So not only does the data have to survive that long, it also has to be readable in 25 years time!

 

My initial thoughs were to just burn a dvd, but wondered how long these last? I'm sure something will be around in 25 years to read them (we can still read floppy's now).

 

Anyone got any ideas?

 

Steve

[soveryapt]

A piece of paper with a link to a file on t'interweb and keep the file updated as technology changes? lol ..

 

Seriously though, erm, I would suggest putting a few options in, so DVD for sure, maybe look into Flash shelf lives.. I guess the problem with this is that you don't know where technology will be going, and although there seem to be standards in place now (ie. you can still read USB 1 on USB 2 ports and can even read USB 2 on USB 1 ports because of the backward compatability) you don't know what the tech will be like down the line (eSATA for instance seems to be taking hold on a number of Laptops and PCs for connectivity).

 

If you can put a few things in that would make the most sense though in my mind, so USB Stick or Flash Memory Card of some description, a DVD (make sure it's nicely cased to avoid too much disruption to it's data surface obviously).

 

[Batman]

I think you should put a whole pc down there, that way all they need is the mains supply!

 

We were thinking that when our RM servers eventually get decommissioned we'd like to bury them with a couple of similarly aged RM Accellerator/Innovator type machines. Then they can be dug up in 50 years time when we're all controlling computers using hand gestures and thoughts and everyone can laugh at how ridiculously primitive a CC3 network is

[soveryapt]

everyone can laugh at how ridiculously primitive a CC3 network is

 

Don't people do that now though? lol ..

[FN-GM]

Erm i would put Pendrive, DVDs, CDs maybe blueray?

 

You might want to think about the format you put the files in as well.

 

Im not sure how long these things will last

[Batman]

Don't people do that now though? lol ..

 

Exactly... can you imagine how much funnier it will be by then?

[soveryapt]

Exactly... can you imagine how much funnier it will be by then?

 

Tis true, though by then, the BSF will of wiped out all of the real techy species so will they even know how to put it together to run it as it will be outside of the scope of their own development initiative ..

[Arcath]

a sata laptop hdd in a drive caddy? w/ the XP iso on it, schools xp serial number and the codecs needed to play everything, throw in some virtualisation software aswell.

[CAM]

You never no sooo, cheap HDD camcorder and chuck it in there. If it does work they just plug it into the mains and press play. Photos? Paper I'd say.

 

Technology moves so fast if you use any form of removable storage, it may not be supported further down the line.

[steveg]

Thanks for all the suggestions, it looks like the lots of different options approach might be best. I'll burn cd's and dvd's for everything, and then probably copy it onto a usb memory stick as well. Even if it doesn't work i'm sure a techie in the future will have fun trying!

 

Steve