[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Question re: preserving records

[Lorne Bohn]

The Big Picture:

Archiving and preserving information is not as big a problem as one might 
think.  Museums and libraries have been concerned about this problem for 
some time.  New computer technology will most likely not utilize hard drives 
on individual computers at all.  Since the 1980's CLOUD computing 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing  seems to be the direction in 
which these institutions are headed.  There are several technical systems 
that are used to accomplish this.  One is a complex system called  RAID 
(Redundant Array of Independent Disks) in which many computers store the 
same data.  When information is destroyed on one hard drive, the others work 
together to rebuild what is lost.  See 
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/raid.html

The Practical Option:

There are a number of cheap/free options available in which individuals can 
store information they don't want lost.  One option is to use one of the 
many backup solutions online.  An example is  http://www.dropbox.com   On 
line posting with one of the geneological programs is another.  Regardless 
of what you use, I would suggest visiting the website and e-mailing them to 
ask any questions to see if what they have to offer suits your particular 
needs.  Regardless of what system you use ALWAYS be sure your data is BACKED 
UP!!

Regards,
Lorne Bohn



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Spaghettitree at aol.com>
To: <farose at gmail.com>; <ger-poland-volhynia at eclipse.sggee.org>
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2010 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Question re: preserving records


> Hi Rose Marie - I agree - all this hardware and gadgets and CD's and
> programs will be obsolete - long before 25 years go by.   But quality 
> paper does
> not disintegrate.  Takes more room, but it is permanent.  I  have a lot of
> paper and books which are 200-300 years old.    As  a paralegal, I have to
> take issue  with the 25 year limit, though - I  don't see why there should 
> be
> a limit at all.   You might wish to  investigate the Allen County Public
> Library in Ft. Wayne - they will take a  printed copy of your records and 
> scan
> them and SAVE them for posterity and  future access and return yours to
> you.   I don't know if they will  take that data on flash drives, etc. or 
> not;
> worth asking - they have developed  into a huge and valuable repository.
> Each state  has different requirements for Wills and Codicils - 
> enforcement
> of your  wishes is the problem.    And making sure everyone knows your
> wishes before the house is cleaned out and thrown in the  dumpster. 
> Shudder!
>
>
> _www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/html_
> (http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/html)
>
> Maureen
>
>
> In a message dated 9/20/2010 8:05:55 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> farose at gmail.com writes:
>
> I've  been reading about putting a codicil on your will to the effect that
> your  genealogical materials must be preserved for 25 years - this to give
> those  who right now are not interested in genealogy, a chance to have 
> your
> records when/if they do in the 25 year period.
>
> My question is -  in what format? Most of us have our materials on our
> computers - how to  store the files? If we think back 25 years, the
> preferred
> storage method  was huge floppies. Now we use memory sticks. What will be
> the
> electronic  storage method in 25 years? Who knows? Certainly the memory
> stick
> will be  as obsolete then as the huge floppy is now. So what is the 
> answer?
> And  should this include all our non-electronic materials?
>
> I'd be interested  in hearing what others are doing, and your  thoughts.
>
> Rose-Marie
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