Re: My old floppy disks are decaying! Help!

[nathan@cco.caltech.edu (Nathan Mates)]

In article <basil.820727122@rain.org>, Basil <basil@rain.org> wrote:
>It's funny that on this same day after I discovered my first floppy disk rot,
>I checked some old VHS tapes and found some residue on tapes. Maybe that's
>tape rot? Not to mention that last year I ran across laser rot on my
>laserdiscs. I'm beginning to have *really* low confidence in any type of
>media lasting beyond 10 years -- whether CD, CDROM, laserdisc, VHS tape,

   Quick fact check: laserdiscs are manufactured in a rather
diffferent way than CD Roms. A CD is a disc of usually aluminum
between two sides of plastic. Pretty simple, not likely to
fail. Laserdiscs, because they are two sided, are made in a different
way-- two discs of aluminum are made (one with each side), and then
glued together. If the glue starts coming apart, the disc can't be
read properly-- laser rot.

   The solution is to buy newer Laserdiscs from manufacturing plants
that use good enough glue, and they should do just fine. Also, store
them in a dry, cool place to keep moisture from getting in the rim
and attacking the aluminum. (Alaska is a great place for Laserdiscs;
the Philippines or Hawaii are not).

   CDs have a far, far, longer shelf life than magnetic things. If
you're going to invest in things, they're a far better bet.


Nathan Mates


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