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T[_5_]

In article <2013081616440689907-xxx@yyyzzz>, says...
>
> On 2013-08-16 22:59:15 +0000, T said:
>
> > Here's how I look at it. First of all there's the real estate issue.
> > Then I think about the stone and I remember that since the late 1960's
> > EVERY single death in at least the United States is recorded and in a
> > database for perpetuity.
>
> Not that I care either way, but don't you think a block of grante might
> last longer than a "perpetual database". Having been a database jockey
> for 20+ years, I can assure you that they don't last forever, even if
> they are federal.
>
> > So if they want to grieve they can simply look it up online.
>
> Online might not last even as long as that.
>
> I saw a movie the other day, Wim Wenders, Room 666. It's interviews
> with filmmakers in the early 80's. They are talking about the future,
> and they assume that film will one day die and be replaced by
> video-tape, magnetic media, to store the archives of man's brief spate
> with silver nitrate and it's cousins.
>
> One guy mentioned how he had recorded 300+ movies, eternal filmic
> artifacts, for his library. VHS. This, so it would last till the end of
> time, or at least 12-15 years, whichever comes first.
>
>

Having worked in state government I can tell you we did transition our
databases to newer hardware, software all the time. So don't count on
that.