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The polycarbonate substrate could degrade due to temperature, humidity, exposure to sunlight, and other environmental variables. These are concerns for institut
by ziari 7y ago
The polycarbonate substrate could degrade due to temperature, humidity, exposure to sunlight, and other environmental variables. These are concerns for institutions with large CD-based archives (e.g., Library of Congress). [1]
In practice, though, it's far more likely that the the disc will get corrupted from small scratches.
[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/08/18/340716269/how-long-do-cds-last-it-depends-but-definitely-not-forever https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/08/18/34...
- tarcyanm 7y agoI have taken several CDs (mainly my Dad's, not my own) from unusably scratched to relatively pristine. The really bad cases need fine grit sandpaper (wet!) followed by plastic polishes. I generally start with Meguiar's plastic polish and work my way to Radtech Ice Creme. In my own collection I have CDs that are around 30 years old and are error-free. I'm not interested in formats or services that won't last at least as long or can't be backed up to my own NAS (nor am I interested in anything less than Red Book quality).
- npongratz 7y agoAnd don't forget about the fungus that eats CDs! https://www.nature.com/news/2001/010628/full/news010628-11.html https://www.nature.com/news/2001/010628/full/news010628-11.h...