4 ms·

While we're here (archival storage), anyone already using M-DISC? I feel like the best bet in the short term is to buy a new, ever-larger external hard drive e

While we're here (archival storage), anyone already using M-DISC? I feel like the best bet in the short term is to buy a new, ever-larger external hard drive every year and copy everything onto it, keeping the old one off-site. -- Ask HN: What is your system for backing up family photos and video? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29978099 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29978099 (yesterday)

Double_a_92 5y ago
Yeah M-DISC is probably the best way to store important data (i.e. for me mostly old photos). Hard drives still seem a bit scary to me, even if you have multiple copies. I.e. you accidentally drop it and all the data on it might be gone, or there is some technical problem with your PC and also gone... While on an optical disc once you burn it it's always there (unless maybe you use brute force to ruin it).
abrookewood 5y ago
I'd never heard of M-DISC before. [0] "Verbatim M DISC™ optical media is the new standard for digital archival storage. Unlike traditional optical media, which utilize dyes that can break down over time, data stored on an M DISC is engraved on a patented inorganic write layer – it will not fade or deteriorate. This unique engraving process renders these archival grade discs practically impervious to environmental exposure, including light, temperature and humidity." [0] https://www.verbatim.com/subcat/optical-media/m-disc/ https://www.verbatim.com/subcat/optical-media/m-disc/
- password4321 5y ago
  3rd party review w/ photos after leaving it outside for 6+ months: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artsep16/mol-mdisc-review.html http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www... (spoiler: it survived). I think they are readable in all drives, but only burnable by certain drives. Also, they are not manufactured in DVD anymore, just Blu-Ray. Still hoping for any anecdata from personal use; checking here: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=mdisc&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?query=mdisc&sort=byDate&type=comment
no_time 5y ago
M-DISC user here. I cannot attest the longevity claims as mine are around 5 years old but we'll see. Unless you want to crowd fund an lto tape reader with friends and family, you don't have any other option.

Double_a_92 5y ago

Yeah M-DISC is probably the best way to store important data (i.e. for me mostly old photos). Hard drives still seem a bit scary to me, even if you have multiple copies. I.e. you accidentally drop it and all the data on it might be gone, or there is some technical problem with your PC and also gone... While on an optical disc once you burn it it's always there (unless maybe you use brute force to ruin it).

abrookewood 5y ago

I'd never heard of M-DISC before. [0] "Verbatim M DISC™ optical media is the new standard for digital archival storage. Unlike traditional optical media, which utilize dyes that can break down over time, data stored on an M DISC is engraved on a patented inorganic write layer – it will not fade or deteriorate. This unique engraving process renders these archival grade discs practically impervious to environmental exposure, including light, temperature and humidity." [0] https://www.verbatim.com/subcat/optical-media/m-disc/ https://www.verbatim.com/subcat/optical-media/m-disc/

password4321 5y ago
3rd party review w/ photos after leaving it outside for 6+ months: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artsep16/mol-mdisc-review.html http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www... (spoiler: it survived). I think they are readable in all drives, but only burnable by certain drives. Also, they are not manufactured in DVD anymore, just Blu-Ray. Still hoping for any anecdata from personal use; checking here: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=mdisc&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?query=mdisc&sort=byDate&type=comment

no_time 5y ago

M-DISC user here. I cannot attest the longevity claims as mine are around 5 years old but we'll see. Unless you want to crowd fund an lto tape reader with friends and family, you don't have any other option.