JAY EMRIE wrote in a message to GREG MAYMAN:

GM>But how long will CDs and DVDs last? Does anyone know?

JE> I believe it is projected to be many many years - which seems 
JE> logical considering the way the CDs are made and the way data is 
JE> recorded on them.

The big difference here,  one that doesn't often seem to be considered when
people discuss this stuff,  is that the digital format allows for much ease
of copying,  where the end result cannot be distinguished from the
original.  This is *way* different than any analog recording medium has
ever been,  it's always been the case that before,  there were losses, 
distortions, degradation in the "information",  and so forth.

What's going to get copied?  Things that people consider worth copying, 
worth having.  People in general,  that is.  Not some small number of
decision makers that happen to work for "content providers", 
either -- it's people in general.  This started out to be the case when
digital technology came into the hands of individuals,  with the advent of
personal computers, but has been accelerating ever since,  and is currently
out there in terms of dvd-rom burners -- an item that's still on the
expensive side but as with other stuff the price of it will continue to
fall as time goes on.  The "content" industry,  Hollywood, 
publishers of printed material,  and so forth hasn't really caught on to
this totally,  and they sure as hell haven't adjusted to it.

GM>And if the technology changes would anyone be able to duplicate it 
GM>to play them in, say, 100 years time?

JE> Only if those "anyones" had enough foresight to do the equivalent 
JE> to what we are now doing with home movies, VCR tapes, etc.

Yep.  If people consider it worthwhile,  things will continue to be copied.
 And as long as they are,  the same information will continue to propagate
forward in time,  while the dreck will fall by the wayside.  Sounds good to
me!

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