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97% of people we surveyed want to keep their best photos for the rest of their life or for generatio
97% of people we surveyed want to keep their best photos for the rest of their life or for generations
Summary
People wish to keep their photos and their records for lifetime or even generations, yet many appear unconcerned about the fact that in a few years' time current devices and on-line services may no longer be in use, and even the file formats might not be supported. Old fashioned printed books and documents are still the best. Fortunately they are much easier to produce now.
Our Survey
Incartek has conducted a survey on behalf of OPUS albums and found out that:
41% of responders say their photos should be kept and found the 'rest of my life'.
56% of responders say that they should be kept for generations
Only 3% said they should be kept for 10 years or less.
Will your CD's and JPG's be obsolete like this in 2020? We have also placed polls on a number of forums asking for thoughts on how long files can be read. Not significant enough yet, but
40% thought that computers in 2020 would be able to read current CDs and JPG files.
50% thought that they would be able to read JPG files but NOT current CDs.
10% thought that neither CDs nor JPG files would be supported.
What is your opinion? E-mail me. (daniel@incartek.com)
We asked Microsoft for their view. This is the response of a spokesperson:
Microsoft has always spent a huge amount of time and resources in providing backward compatibility, wherever possible, in its products. We will continue to take this approach. However, it is impossible for any technology company to see as far into the future as 2020 with the degree of certainty suggested. - 2020 is less than 13 years away.
Even they cant be sure. I think you get the point.
We also placed a poll Will photo-share (like Flikr) and video-share (like You Tube) be around in 20 years time? with the responses
Both of these services will be doing fine (even if they've changed ownership or name)
Yes this sort of thing will be around - but those particular services will have gone (with their databases)
No - things will have moved on by then. Something else will be the rage
No - we'll be back to pen and paper
We have not yet received enough responses on this one. Your comments are welcome.
Our conclusion
Our times are in Gods hands we know; how long the rest of our lives are we dont know. Some readers, not me, might hope to live to 2080 generations would mean 100 years or more! Can one foresee the electronic media that would be around then? CDs will have gone the way of the floppy and tape cassette. If one wants to keep your records indefinitely, electronic media at home or at a central repository cannot be relied on. One thing is for sure though well printed documents on archival acid free papers with permanent (pigmented) ink should last, especially if kept in a good environment. This is where companies like OPUSalbums.com come in.
Loss of your photos is traumatic - to anybody
FingerDo you agree with our sentiments? - Do our One Minute Poll now!
OPUSalbums.com is a specialist in home and office printed albums, scrapbooks, creative and archival papers. It is part of Ink Cartridge Technologies Ltd, Rochester, England.
Incartek is a specialist management consultancy specialising in the imaging supplies industry. It is associated with Excelsis Enterprises, a full range consultancy.
If you wish to contribute to these polls (You may have to join Ecademy first, but I recommend it):
How long do want to keep your digital photos?
Will Windows 2020 support .JPG files?
Will Windows 2020 support current CDs
Will Flikr and You Tube be around in 20 years time?
or enter the full questionnaire
http://www.oneminutepoll.com/OneMinutePoll/OneMinuteSurvey.aspx?SID=-2147482248
Daniel Roberts July 2007
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