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12/17/2004 08:14:48 AM · #1 |
I'm starting to amass a collection of CDs, and I don't want to create a nightmare for myself before it gets too late.
I have used Sharpie's to record data, description, and basic index information on the CDs themselves.
Do I have anything to be worried about? Does anyone know if there are any long term effects from the inks in Sharpies? Does anyone have experience in separating out the marketing hype from the real effects (ie, Sharpie says they won't damage CDs, but that's them talkin...).
What do you use?
Thanks!
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12/17/2004 09:42:38 AM · #2 |
I have used Sharpies for years and not had any problems.
I have started using paper lables and am a little worried about how well they will last, on CDs.
I am now using nothing by DVDs for my own stuff, the only time I burn a CD is when it is for someone how can not read DVDs. Where we live I can by blank DVDs for about the same price as blanks CDs.
DVDs have an advantage in that the surface where the data is writen to is not right at the top surface, the way it is on a CD. This sould mean less problems when writing or labeling DVDs compared to CDs. |
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12/17/2004 10:17:59 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by scottwilson:
I have used Sharpies for years and not had any problems.
I have started using paper lables and am a little worried about how well they will last, on CDs.
I am now using nothing by DVDs for my own stuff, the only time I burn a CD is when it is for someone how can not read DVDs. Where we live I can by blank DVDs for about the same price as blanks CDs.
DVDs have an advantage in that the surface where the data is writen to is not right at the top surface, the way it is on a CD. This sould mean less problems when writing or labeling DVDs compared to CDs. |
I agree, been using sharpies for many years with no problems...even on the cheap cdr's.
The only problems that I have run across with labeling is when the label gets placed off center. This can cause the CD to be off balance and act all funky when running in the player. (kinda like the way a ceiling fan wobbles when one blade is slightly off)
Not sure what you mean by DVD's not being right at the top surface vs. CD's... In both cases, the film that is written to / read from is encased in a layer of plastic. |
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12/17/2004 10:22:05 AM · #4 |
What you need to worry about is the adhesive used to apply the paper label. That adhesive does bad things over time.
If you want to have archival optical media, sharpies are typically safe, but never affix anything to the disc, and never use inkjet printing on it. Stick with the sharpies. Better yet, label the jewel case and leave the disc unmarked, or minimally marked.
Also, make sure you store it somewhere dark, with consistent temps and humidity. I keep mine in a fireproof safe in the basement. If you use the discs periodically, burn one archival copy which only gets used for restoring data in emergencies, and another copy which you use as a "working copy". The less you handle it, the longer it will last.
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12/17/2004 10:40:58 AM · #5 |
I too have quite a collection of cds. I have done some research on how to preserve them etc... The national archives (in the US) has spent a lot of money looking at this. here is some of what they have to say
//www.chin.gc.ca/English/Digital_Content/Preservation_Recommendations/media.html
//www.itl.nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/disccare.html
there is a lot of other stuff too such as
//palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/electronic-records/electronic-storage-media/critiss.html
some of the other things that I have read seem to indicate that if you are really serious about keeping your data around for years, then you should reduplicate the cds every 2 years or so. for long term accessability you will also need to migrate the storage media as the current technology fades from use.
I did a quick google search and turned up lots of stuff as well
here is another interesting link
//www.cdfreaks.com/news/7751
Message edited by author 2004-12-17 11:18:10. |
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12/17/2004 10:52:05 AM · #6 |
My first CD burner was an Olympus that cost $1800 and burned at 1x speed. Blanks at the time cost about $15 a piece. Virtually none of the CDs I made during that time work except a few that I never wrote any thing on the surface. I've always used sharpies for this purpose, but I think any marker could potentially due damage.
Now I only write a reference number & date on the inner clear portion, and I then store the relative info on the jewel case and a data base.
I know several inkjet manafacturers have spent much in R&D on the archival properties of papers & inks. Has anyone heard the same being done or know of any CD-R that has better long term properties? I would pay at least twice the price for a product that will last. |
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12/17/2004 11:11:06 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by RobCoursey:
the film that is written to / read from is encased in a layer of plastic. |
Only commerical CDs are encased in plastic. The data layer on a CD-R is a thin metallic film on the top surface (outside) of the disc. I have personally experienced data layers literally peeling away from the disc, as well as faded dyes that resulted in unreadable CDs (and this was on carefully handled Verbatim and Kodak branded media).
As a result of both problems, I did a LOT of research on this a few years ago and concluded that Mitsui media is the best available, but it's hard to find (Supermediastore.com used to carry it). Most of my files go on TDK media, and it has proven very reliable for me. I haven't had any trouble with Sharpies, but I usually just write on the jewel case sleeve or write outside the area that has data written to it, and I keep multiple copies of anything important. Good luck!
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12/17/2004 03:04:00 PM · #8 |
Thanks, all, for the tremendous info! That is exactly what I was looking for, and now it's all in one place!
Ya'll have highlighted exactly what I was afraid of: committing data to a medium, then having it go bad without me being aware of it...at least now I can formulate a workable strategy for dealing with it.
Great links, Dean. Can't wait to dig through those! |
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