Re: [ARSCLIST] Thinner CD-R cases?; Archiving Temperatures?; CD-R Case Labelling?

[Jerome Hartke <jhartke@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Some thin jewel cases work well. Others tend to release the disc or a
gap may open along the edge. Tyvek sleeves are usually particulate free,
but the disc is in contact with the sleeve. Full jewel cases are
prefereble.

Longevity is not a go-no go matter. Manufacturers recommend 5 C to 25 C
(41 F to 77 F) at 20% to 50% RH. 10 C (50 F) is optimum for discs and
tape. Elevated temperatures and high humidity always accelerate the
ageing process. How much is determined by media quality and by the
quality of the recording drive. Tapes are probably more sensitive than
CD discs.

Stick-on labels can be very risky for long term storage unless they are
thoroughly tested first. Adhesives can degrade the information layer, or
the entire label can shrink/expand, and thus stress or even delaminate
the disc. Better to write on the clear inner ring using a soft tip
marker with water based ink.

Jerry
Media Sciences, Inc.

Robert Brian Levy wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I am writing with a few more questions about our archiving work in
> Okahoma:
>
> 1.  Do you guys have any specific advice about the possibility of
> using the new super thin cases for storing CDs?
> As we see it the plus would be that they are thinner, so we can
> probably store about twice as many in the same space.
> The minus might be any off-gassing, as well as that they may be a bit
> flimsy.
>
> If you are aware of any specific brand of thinner CD-R cases, and
> where we could purchase them, would you please also let us know?
>
> Or should we just stick with the thicker, harder regular jewel cases?
>
> Alternatively, what about archiving CD-R's in Tyvex sleeves?
>
> 2.  What do you all think is the risk involved in allowing the
> temperature to fluctuate in our office where we are storing many of
> our archival digital and analog recodings between 66 degrees (low
> winter temp) and 80 degrees (high summer temperature)?
> The cooling costs are exhorbitant and I'm assuming that the old
> analogue tapes and the new CD materials (as well as the computer
> equipment) are not too adversely effected by the temperature changes.
> Is that true, given this range of about 66-80 degrees Fahrenheit?
>
> 3.  Do you have any specific suggestion for labels on jewel cases?
> What we are using now don't seem to stay stuck very well...
>
> Thank you once again for any and all advice and suggestions.
>
> Best,
>
>        Brian Levy
>
>  --------------------------------------------
> Robert Brian Levy
>
> Executive Director
> Kiwat Hasinay Foundation
>
> KHF
> c/o Charlene Wright
> Box 305
> Binger, OK 73009  USA
>
> tel: 1-405-656-2503
>
> email: kiwat@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
> homepage: www.ahalenia.com/kiwat