Data will last longer if used, On flash drives
 

I saved all my important digital photos and Microsoft Word documents on CDs. Then I read that a burned CD might last only a few years, so I put the data on a USB flash drive. But what's the lifetime of a flash drive?

Use or lose files on your flash drives, which are really computer chips inside finger-sized packages. If you don't update or view the files, the electrical charge representing your stored data will disappear after about 10 years, said Brandon Stevens, a senior technology manager at computer storage manufacturer Kingston Technology in Fountain Valley, Calif.

Using the flash drive isn't enough. You must call up, or update, each individual file and the electrical charge will be renewed and you're good for another 10 years, Stevens said. Data renewed regularly will last almost indefinitely, he said. (By comparison, data stored on CDs last 10 to 20 years.)

But another factor limits the life of USB flash drives: The physical wear and tear they undergo from being carried on key chains and occasionally going through the washing machine inside a pocket. As a result, Kingston will guarantee its USB flash drives for only five years, Stevens said. By contrast, the company's flash cards, typically protected inside devices such as digital cameras or phones, are guaranteed for the life of the card, he said.

News Source: Star Tribune

floppies
 

Just curious, how long will information last on floppies?

Sincerely,

cyberspider

Life of data on floppies depends on many factors, as far as I know Floppy disks have an expected life span of less than 2 years

On most of my disks I got a year and or a year and a half use out of them.

use of floppies
 

Dear SysChat, Sami, et al.:

Thanks for your replies.

Talking about floppies lasting one-and-a-half to two years. Is that with extensive use or storage? I have much data (manuscripts) on floppies made with an old Brother WP-55 word processor. It never occurred to me data could be lost in such a manner, especially not on a CD. I would hate to lose it but...

Another thing, what about all these DVDs Hollywood has twisted my arm into buying, and music CDs those dastardly musicians made me purchase, of which I have scores, are they corruptible too?

Seriously negative news!

Sincerely,

cyberspider