Re: [ARSCLIST] Hard disk drives and DAT

[andy kolovos <akolovos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi--

While I fully agree with what Tom and others are saying regarding 
managed storage, there's another level here that you guys seem simply to 
be dismissing--what do individuals and institutions who lack funds do to 
manage digital assets on a short-to-medium term basis?  I still feel 
external HDD has a place in a lower cost, comprehensive digital asset 
management plan for people and organizations with limited funding and 
access to technology.

Local historical societies here in VT are generating digital image files 
(for example) up the wazoo.  As their oral history projects move into 
the born digital domain, they're accumulating digital audio files as 
well.  Most of these organizations lack any budget outside of good will. 
 What would you have them do with these materials?  Not do interviews? 
 Not scan old images?  Better to recommend a combo of optical disc and 
multiple external HDD than have their files only sitting on the system 
drive of their 8 year old Compaq or on a pile of Staples CD-Rs alone.

While managed, redundant, backed up, server-based storage is an ideal 
and a goal, we as a field need to come up with some acceptable second 
tier recommendations as well.

Andy

Rob Poretti wrote:
> Thanks Tom... You put a "grimmer" face on it, but you are 100% correct.
>
> Rob Poretti
> Sascom - Toronto
> vox.905.825.5373    fax.905.469.1129     cel.905.580.2467
> www.sascom.com    www.cube-tec.com
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List 
> > [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tom Fine
> > Sent: March 26, 2007 5:49 PM
> > To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Hard disk drives and DAT
> >
> >
> > I hope Richard and/or Parker and/or Spec Bros. jump in here. 
> > The ONLY answer is managed and 
> > constantly migrated storage. You simply cannot live by the 
> > old "put it on a shelf in a clean, cool 
> > room" idea anymore. Digital storage must be in constant 
> > motion -- literally since hard drives have 
> > been known to fail or never start up again if left idle on a 
> > shelf (ask around Hollywood, everyone 
> > has a horror story or two). You have to plan to have a 
> > "living" hard drive array that is redundant, 
> > preferably with a constantly mirrored clone at a different 
> > location, and plan on swapping out drives 
> > every XX hours of use or at worst when they inevitably fail. 
> > There are firms that do this on an 
> > out-source basis, I think. I believe the 90's dot-bomb term 
> > was "storage farms." Some of them are 
> > actually located in old bomb shelters and missle bunkers.
> >
> > -- Tom Fine
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "andy kolovos" <akolovos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 5:00 PM
> > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Hard disk drives and DAT
> >
> >
> > > Lauren,
> > >
> > > As a short-to-medium-term storage solution--and as a part of a more 
> > > comprehensive
> > > approach--multiple HDD is the best most of us can do at 
> > this point in time.
> > > I prefer Maxtor and Western Digital drives, and I favor those that 
> > > come in enclosures that offer
> > > FireWire and an on/off switch.  Very vexing to have no 
> > on/off switch.
> > > In some cases it can be more cost effective to purchase Maxtor/WD 
> > > internal drives, reliable
> > > external enclosures and build them yourself. I've had good 
> > luck with the "Neptune" line of 
> > > enclosures from Other World Computing 
> > (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/add-ons-and-hubs/encl
> osure-kits) and have heard good 
> > things about their "Mercury Elite" enclosures as well.
> >
> > As others have mentioned, just like Coco Puffs are part of a complete 
> > breakfast that includes
> > toast, juice and etc., external HDD is part of comprehensive, lower-cost storage
> approach that 
> > includes optical disc and linear tape.
> >
> > Not all of us can swing a RAID array.  Do the best you can with what 
> > you have.
> >
> > best,
> >
> > andy
> > --
> >
> > Andy Kolovos
> > Archivist/Folklorist
> > Vermont Folklife Center
> > 3 Court Street ; P.O. Box 442
> > Middlebury, VT 05753
> > (802) 388-4964
> > akolovos @ vermontfolklifecenter.org 
> > http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org

--

Andy Kolovos
Archivist/Folklorist
Vermont Folklife Center
3 Court Street ; P.O. Box 442
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 388-4964
akolovos @ vermontfolklifecenter.org
http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org