Choose high-quality archival-level optical
media. Use read-only discs instead of rewritable media.
Before recording, check the disc surface
for dust, dirt or scratches.
Record data to the disc at slow speeds.
Use a checksum application to record
the characteristics of files stored on the disc. Periodically
re-run the application to verify the integrity of
your data.
Make backup copies of all of your media.
Since digital copies are identical, the twentieth
copy of your data should be of the same quality as
the original.
Designate the original copy of a disc
as archival. Use the archival copy only for making
further copies and for future migration to new media.
Use additional copies for frequent access. When feasible,
store the archival copy at a separate location with
a controlled environment.
Store discs in a cool, dry, dark, clean
environment with a temperature between 39°F - 68°F
(4°C-20°C) and a relative humidity of 20%-50%.
Store discs upright in cases specifically
designed for disc storage.
Return discs to their storage cases
immediately after use.
Handle discs by the outer edge or the
center hole. Do not touch their surface.
Use water-based felt-tip markers to
label disks. Do not apply adhesive labels or use pens,
pencils, or fine-tip markers.
Clean discs only when absolutely necessary.
When possible, use puffs of air rather than direct
contact to remove dust from a disc's surface. If it
is necessary to use a cloth to clean a disc, use a
dry cotton cloth and wipe from the center of the disc
straight toward the outer edge. If the disc is especially
grimy, try cleaning it with water. As a final resort,
use a water-based detergent formulated especially
for cleaning CDs and DVDs.
Make plans to upgrade your collection
as new technologies evolve. While the longevity of
data on optical media is not precisely known, most
experts agree that today's CDs and DVDs are likely
to become an obsolete format (remember 5¼ floppies?)
long before the data on the discs fades away.
