• taladar@sh.itjust.works
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    13 days ago

    magnetic media can retain data indefinitely when stored without power.

    That is not true. Old floppy disks often do not work anymore (old as in 15-20 years unused).

    • mox@lemmy.sdf.org
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      13 days ago

      It is true. I said can retain data indefinitely, not will retain data forever.

      (And in any case, being pedantic here misses the point.)

      • ssladam@lemmy.world
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        13 days ago

        All indefinitely means is “not certain”. So it could mean a week… Or a century.

        These disks are pretty well understood. You should be good for a decade. At about 12-13 years it’s risky and anything after 15… If it’s still working, count yourself lucky.