Attached Link: http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/news.php

Remember, the Universe really is out to get you! And it's weapon of choice is Entropy! Here, in all it's unsavory glory, is my plan for data backup. 1. Use CDR, not CDRW for long term storage. You don't have to use the really expensive discs, but be wary of the cheapest brands. CDRs are a fairly reliable technology nowadays, but there are always people willing to cut corners with quality, so be careful with off brand or 'e-bay specials' 2. Organize your files into folders. Actually, this is the ghost of my DOS/FAT days, when you could only store so many files on the root partition talking, but it's not recommended to pour everything onto the root anyway. Why take chances? Besides, it looks messy! :) 3. Try burning at lower speeds. The faster you burn, the harder your system has to work to keep the data flowing. Also, you can end up with compatibility probs. with the faster burns. 4. Avoid exotic options with the filesystem. For backups, avoid multi-session and particularly any 'drag to disc' system, where the CDR is treated like a big floppy disk. Choose ISO level 1 for the best compatibility, and turn off any relaxation options. You can check Joliet extensions if your burning software allows it, so your long filenames will be preserved under Windows. But select ISO 9660 (ISO standard CD-ROM) rather than straight Joliet, this will allow other platfroms to read the CD if they don't understand Joliet. Also make sure you check the finalize the disc option, again this is more compatible. 5. Burn at least two copies. Even if your disc is good quality, it can still get lost or broken. Discs are cheap, your time and talent are not! 6. VERIFY the files after burning and before deleting any files from your HD! Even if your burning software said you made a successful CD, your disc may well have errors. The software may be lying! Don't trust it! The best way is to use a file compare/recovery program like CDCheck (See link) This program (and I am NOT affiliated with them in anyway) allows you to compare the files on your HD and CD bit for bit. It also allows has a recovery option. It's free for personal use (i.e. if you're not making money off the files on your CD) 7a. Labels- This is somewhat debatable. ON the one hand, CDRs have a thinnner upper surface than Commercially created CDs, so are equally vunerable to scratches on the top and bottom. A label can help protect the top surface from scratches. But... if the label is misapplied or uncentered or has airbubbles or grunks trapped underneath it, it can affect the readability of the cdr. This is especially true if you put the label on the wrong side of the CDR. :) 7b. If you're going to write on the CDR, Don't use hard pens like ballpoints etc. Some people say don't use regular markers like Sharpie either, claiming the ink can soak through the CDR and damage the data layer. There are special pens that claim to be safe for this purpose, but not surpisingly they cost more. Some people feel this is just an excuse to foist high priced pens. Me, I usually just write with a marker on the clear hub of the cdr. This restricts the length of the disc name, but I just use numbers, and keep a catalog of the discs so I can search for files. I use where is it, but there are lots of good file cataloging software. http://www.whereisit-soft.com/ 8. Put your first backup disc in one place, and if you're really paranoid, keep the second disc somewhere else. If you're really parnoid, make a third backup disc and keep it offsite. You don't have to wrap it in lead or aluminum foil though. Jewel cases or sleeves will do. :) BTW, those cute little jewel tone slimline cases don't seem to keep dust out as well as the old fashioned jewel cases. I personally don't recommend them. 9. How long do these things last? Who knows, I've heard estimates anywhere from 5 to 30 years. I'd wager closer to the 5 than the 30 myself. Be prepared to transfer everything to new discs at some point. This is also why you should avoid proprietary stuff like MO drives, who knows if you'll even have wokring hard ware to read 'em in 5 or 10 years? There you go, plan 11 from Lemurtek Headquarters. Oh yeah, and always remember, whenever typing huge longwinded epic missives in Renderosity's forums, backup your message! Either type in a test editor and then copy to the forum post window, or when your done typing, copy and paste the test to your clipboard. Trust me, Rendermonstery will eat your message if you don't! :) Reagrds- Lemurtek