97% of People Want to Keep Their Digital Photos for Life But Risk Loss Through Obsolescence or Failure of Online Services
Most people wish to keep their photos and their records for lifetime or even generations, yet many appear less 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. Others, are worried – even Microsoft can offer no guarantee. Old fashioned printed books and documents, such as those offered by OPUSalbums.com are still best for archives. They are much easier to produce now.
Rochester, United Kingdom, July 24, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Most people wish to keep their photos and their records for lifetime or even generations, yet many appear less 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. Others, are worried – even Microsoft can offer no guarantee. Old fashioned printed books and documents, such as those offered by OPUSalbums.com who sponsored the research, are still best for archives. 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 their lives.
56% of responders say that they should be kept for ‘generations’
Only 3% said they should be kept for 10 years or less.
Incartek 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 CD’s and JPG files.
50% thought that they would be able to read JPG files but not current CD’s.
10% thought that neither CD’s nor JPG files would be supported.
Incartek 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.”
Even they can’t be sure, it would seem.
Incartek 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
Although not enough responses have yet been received to make a statistically valid conclusion, no respondents believed that both of these services – or their databases - would be there in 20 years.
Our conclusion
Daniel Roberts, director of Incartek and a senior consultant with Excelsis Enterprises said “Although only God knows how long the ‘rest of our lives’ are, a lifetime might mean till 2080 – generations would mean 100 years or more. No one can foresee the electronic media that would be around in 20 years let alone 70? CD’s 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. I recommend OPUSalbums.com who as well as having an excellent range provide good advice in this important area.”
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.
Daniel Roberts has been in the supplies and peripherals aftermarket for 30 years holding senior management positions
PS Ecademists can still contribute to these polls:
How long do want to keep your digital photos?
Will Windows 2020 support .JPG files?
Will Windows 2020 support current CD’s
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
For more information please contact
©Daniel Roberts – July 2007
Business Builder
Incartek (Ink Cartridge Technologies Ltd)
PO Box 561
Rochester
Kent ME1 9DF
England
Tel +44(0) 845 408 9427
Fax +44(0) 845 408 9428
US Skypein +1 408 627 4077 (not after 3pm PST please!)
email: daniel@incartek.com
Personal website: www.incartek.com
www.OPUSalbums.com
- print-your-own albums for digital photographers
Rochester, Kent.
Tel +44(0) 845 8386 286
US Skypein +1 408 627 4077
email: contact@opusalbums.com
Author of "What day is Brand Freedom Day?"
“Make a great Photo Album (or Digital Scrapbook) yourself”
###
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 their lives.
56% of responders say that they should be kept for ‘generations’
Only 3% said they should be kept for 10 years or less.
Incartek 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 CD’s and JPG files.
50% thought that they would be able to read JPG files but not current CD’s.
10% thought that neither CD’s nor JPG files would be supported.
Incartek 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.”
Even they can’t be sure, it would seem.
Incartek 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
Although not enough responses have yet been received to make a statistically valid conclusion, no respondents believed that both of these services – or their databases - would be there in 20 years.
Our conclusion
Daniel Roberts, director of Incartek and a senior consultant with Excelsis Enterprises said “Although only God knows how long the ‘rest of our lives’ are, a lifetime might mean till 2080 – generations would mean 100 years or more. No one can foresee the electronic media that would be around in 20 years let alone 70? CD’s 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. I recommend OPUSalbums.com who as well as having an excellent range provide good advice in this important area.”
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.
Daniel Roberts has been in the supplies and peripherals aftermarket for 30 years holding senior management positions
PS Ecademists can still contribute to these polls:
How long do want to keep your digital photos?
Will Windows 2020 support .JPG files?
Will Windows 2020 support current CD’s
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
For more information please contact
©Daniel Roberts – July 2007
Business Builder
Incartek (Ink Cartridge Technologies Ltd)
PO Box 561
Rochester
Kent ME1 9DF
England
Tel +44(0) 845 408 9427
Fax +44(0) 845 408 9428
US Skypein +1 408 627 4077 (not after 3pm PST please!)
email: daniel@incartek.com
Personal website: www.incartek.com
www.OPUSalbums.com
- print-your-own albums for digital photographers
Rochester, Kent.
Tel +44(0) 845 8386 286
US Skypein +1 408 627 4077
email: contact@opusalbums.com
Author of "What day is Brand Freedom Day?"
“Make a great Photo Album (or Digital Scrapbook) yourself”
###
Contact
OPUS Albums (div of Ink Cartridge Technologies Ltd)
Daniel Roberts
+44 845 408 9427
http:/www.opusalbums.com
PO Box 561
Rochester, Kent
ME1 9DF
Daniel Roberts
+44 845 408 9427
http:/www.opusalbums.com
PO Box 561
Rochester, Kent
ME1 9DF
Contact
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OPUS Album's Print & Bind and Photo Art albums are designed for both hobbyists and professionals
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