GM> JE> I use Compact Flash cards with my digital camera and to
GM> JE> move files3es from one system to another - the largest I have
GM> JE> is 256 Mb. There is also Smart Media, Memory Stick, and
GM> JE> Compact Flash II (which is actually a miniature HD) and
GM> JE> quite expensive (dear to you :-)  ) All have non volatile
GM> JE> memory.

GM>Technology is moving a lot faster than I am 

GM> JE> I paid around $80 on sale for the 256 Mb, IIRC.

GM> JE> They not only will disappear, but those in current use will
GM> JE> deteriorate to beyond use.

GM>Yup. That is so true.

GM>But I have some cassettes that are over 20 years old and still
GM>playable, although I've had to rejoin the leader tape onto a few
GM>of them when the glue dried out.

What happens when the tape get brittle and starts breaking?
I have some old reel to reel stuff that is beginning to get
that way.

Also movies will deteriorate much the same way.

The movie industry has lost quite a bit of their earlier
productions because of film deterioration.

GM>OTOH how long will the data last in a memory stick or other
GM>non-volatile RAM? EPROMs tend to "fade" after about 10 years,
GM>less if they are stored in a hot place.

Well the trick is to NOT leave the images on the memory
stick, etc. but to put the keepers on CDs or DVDs. That is
what I am in the process of doing right know - making DVDs
from VHS tapes for other people.

We lost all of out VHS tapes when we were burglarized this
last summer so I can't save mine now.

Jay




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