Another web archiving question ... For a database-driven website, is conversion of database to xml or production and archiving of static web pages the way to go? Or does it depend on context? E.g. Does it depend on whether the database is interrorgated by the user, or not (this isn't a question about collections management databases, by the way). There is porential to use the historic data (about room booking, for example) for makerting purposes. But just because something CAN be done doesn't mean that it is imortant to do it. My feeling is that reserchers of the future (like users of today) will not be aware of how a web page was generated - it is the design and the content that will interest them. Another think that supporting this enquiry has taught me: people are confused between an archive and a backup, and think they serve the same purposes. With best wishes to all, Pat Pat Reynolds, Surrey Museums Development Officer ------Original Message------ From: Mark Janzen To: MUSEUM-L ReplyTo: MUSEUM-L Sent: 3 Jan 2006 18:02 Subject: Re: archival storage of CDs [Sent by: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> ] Remko, Multiple backups, multiple storage locations, and even different storage media are all musts. The NIST publication you need is here: http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/CDandDVDCareandHandlingGuide.pdf Either the hard jewel cases or the archival polypropylene versions are good. The main reason I lean toward the poly-versions is that they are not as prone to cracking or shattering. Of course, if they are stored and handled well that would not be an issue. In any case, avoid the thin cases for long term storage, as they are too thin and flexible. One of the things I have not seen on any of the other posts responding to your question, and forgive me if I missed it, is a discussion of data permanence. Migration to newer media and technology/software obsolecence are serious concerns, but there is another issue that lurks in the dark places of our vaults. DVDs and CDs are not permanent storage media, and they should never be considered as such. Of course use and poor conditions can damage a CD/DVD-RAM or ROM, but the data on the disks can become unreadable all by itself even in good conditions. The dye-based technology that we all use is subject to degradation over time, and your archived master copies could become unuseable in as few as 1-5 years, whether or not you still have a computer that can run/read them. If you are going to archive data in any digital format, you need to have a policy in place for periodic checking and recopying of the data to fresh media to prevent such losses. As David noted, only a few media, such as microfilm, microfiche, and paper(punchcards), can be considered permanent in the long run. All other digital and electronic media should be considered temporary and treated as such. That is assuming you actually want to keep your information for the long term. DVD-ROMs are a much more stable option, but the difficulty and expense of producing such creatures in low number/uniqu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This email and any attachments with it are intended for the addressee only. It may be confidential and may be the subject of legal and/or professional privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender or [log in to unmask] The content may be personal or contain personal opinions and cannot be taken as an expression of the County Council's position. Surrey County Council reserves the right to monitor all incoming and outgoing mail. Whilst every care has been taken to check this outgoing e-mail for viruses, it is your responsibility to carry out any checks upon receipt. Visit the Surrey County Council website - http://www.surreycc.gov.uk * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).