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Reply-To: <jwvanbogart@nml.org>From: "John Van Bogart" <jwvanbogart@nml.org>To: <Marcia_Stepanek@businessweek.com>Cc: <bwreader@mgh.com>, "'DuBois, Peg'" <pedubois@nml.org>,        "'Sprick, Dan'" <dksprick@nml.org>,        "'Cochrane, Katherine'" <katherine@cd-info.com>,        "'Murray, Bill'" <wpmurray@imation.com>,        "'Gibson, Gerry'" <ggib@loc.gov>Subject: "From Digits to Dust" a DisappointmentDate: Fri, 1 May 1998 12:50:11 -0500X-Priority: 3 (Normal)Importance: NormalMay 1, 1998Marcia,When you took the time to contact me regarding the stability of datarecording media, I truly thought that you were interested in doingan objective report on digital data storage.  I provided you withup-to-the-date answers to several questions in line with this goal.I did not give you permission to use the National Media Lab "LifeExpectancy" chart, because NML considers this information outdated.During our interview, for example, I mentioned that more recenttesting of CD-ROM media indicates longevities of 100 years andlonger.  Unfortunately, you used this old chart, and failed toupdate it with the more current information.I stated that there is little chance of information loss usingdigital media as long as one follows proper storage and handlingprocedures.  I also explained that transcription is an essentialand inevitable part of digital information preservation.  Contraryto what is stated in you article, digital files can be migrated fromolder to newer media with only a tiny risk of information loss.  Withread-after-write verification, digital files can be transcribed withabsolutely NO loss of information.  As when people moved from horsedrawn transportation to "horseless carriages," they had to get usedto a novel technology.  Though originally scoffed at, few peopletoday would argue against the superiority of the automobilefor transportation.You could have written an excellent, balanced article on digitaldata storage.  Instead you chose to "parrot" the imprecise,pessimistic viewpoint expressed in earlier U.S. News & World Reportand L.A. Times articles.  "From Digits to Dust" does more to shockand confuse readers, than provide them with useful information.Dr. John Van BogartData Preservation ScientistNational Media LaboratoryBuilding 235-1N-17, 3M CenterSt. Paul, MN   55144-1000(612) 733-1918