[G4] Problem with spreadsheets in Classic mode

[Tony Johansen]

On 6/2/2006 5:28 AM, "S. Kennedy" <skenn at earthlink.net> wrote:

> BTW, just as a point of info, I looked into external floppy drives as a
> possibility but I could not find any that would work with the Mac formatted
> 800 and 400 MB disks that were used for these old applications.  Since
> floppies are so fragile, I made disk images many years ago on optical disks
> but these don't always work for one reason or another.
> 
> Again, thanks for the suggestions.
> 
> Skid Kennedy
> _______________________________________________

Skid I have never had a floppy in my hands and really don't know what they
look like :-) Somehow I don't think I missed anything, however they are not
the only thing that is fragile in regard to storage.

Long term storage on CD is not as long term as people think, and there is a
vast difference in longevity between brands. There are 2 factors: Most
important is the dye layer required for reading the data. Most companies use
cheap dyes in the dye layer that change with time producing errors in
reading or complete failure eventually. The cheap CD's bought in packs of 20
or 50 in discount stores may have an effective storage life of as little as
1 or 2 years. At the other end of the scale a Sony CD-R that incorporates
'Supremas Technology' has a far longer life due to better dyes. Sony also
claims that it uses a plastic that burns with a sharper edge, again reducing
error rates.(the second factor being the quality and shape of the burnt
'pits' in the CD)

It is very likely the trouble you have with CD's working is due to this
quality issue. I for one only buy the Sony ones for archival use.

Considering how many people use CD's for long term storage it is amazing how
little discussion of these issues occur. I guess people don't realise that
not all CD's are equal.


Tony
http://www.tonyjohansen.com
A Life Of Art