On 2010-10-24, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

"DoN. Nichols" wrote:

On 2010-10-23, Gunner Asch wrote:

[ ... ]

And give your DRM code in your last will and testiment...G

That can preserve the data -- but how long will there be
compatible eBook readers to use those formats? There is a lot of
computer media which can't be read which is less than 50 years old.

How many of you have the ability to read punched tape formats?
(Let's see -- the common ones are 5-level Baudot, and 8-level ASCII
punched tape (from Teletypes and the like), but there are also other bit
codes which used the 8-level punched tape, such as the Freiden
Flexowriter (Sort of an 8-bit version of EBCDIC, but with shift-up and
shift-down codes needed)

And how many people have the equipment to play 78 RPM records
these days? (Let alone Edison cylinder recordings?)


I have at least a dozen turntables that will play 78s.

[ ... ]

I still have some half height double sided 8" floppy drives that
don't need AC power, and some floppies.

However -- you and I are not typical. (BTW -- I didn't notice
you mentioning that you had the punched tape readers. :-)


However -- print still works, as long as you have light (and
know how to read, of course). :-)


And the ink hasn't faded.

Yes -- but since most print is carbon based, it will not fade.
The paper itself may disintegrate or darken enough to make reading more
difficult.

Colored inks do fade -- especially red. And the inks commonly
used for handwriting do fade too -- unless you are using India ink.

Enjoy,
DoN.

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