Speaking as a long-time radio guy...

When it comes to audio recording, digital vs. analog (i.e. cassette
recorders) isn't necessarily a black-or-white choice.  Cassette recorders
have the advantage of being relatively cheap, using very cheap and easily
obtainable media, and being very easy to use. They're also fairly robust:
heat, humidity and short drops onto the pavement don't faze them.  Digital
has the advantage of better fidelity, and if the device is new enough, a
direct USB or Firewire connection right into a computer for quick and easy
backup (see below).

However, the really important aspect here is not the medium, but the
microphone and how it's used.  You can have a great recorder, but if the
mic is held three feet from the subject and pointing in the wrong
direction, or if there's a loud air-conditioner humming nearby throughout
the entire interview, your nice equipment is wasted.  Conversely, a cheap
cassette recorder and mic, properly handled, can capture perfectly good
sound, especially if you use a decent type II cassette brand like TDK or
Marantz.

Whatever your medium, a little training and practice in gathering good
sound (call your local public or college radio station for advice!) pays
off handsomely, especially when you're gathering material that you probably
won't have a chance to record a second time.  Always wear headphones while
you record, and make a test recording to make sure everything is working.

Finally--whatever your original medium, it's easy these days to back up
your recording onto your Mac or PC and then burn an audio CD.  (Most
computers have a stereo miniplug input for analog sound; there are other
methods too.)  Once it's on CD--depending upon the quality of the
disk--your archived sound will last for years with no degradation.  In
fact, that's the first thing I would do with any recording made in the
field: get it into the computer.  And I would also do that ASAP with any
existing archived sound that's on tape of any sort.

best,
-steve "I was a teenage disc jockey" tokar

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