Memory Stick v External Hard Drive?

[LOLGEOFF]

Due to media induced paranoia about remote data storage, how robust are memory sticks for long term photo storage? or would the external hard drive be a better option? I don't have many to store and they are mainly phone snapshots, but it would be nice to know they are reasonably safe.

 

[Dicko]

I would keep them on a memory stick and somewhere else too.

What about getting a gmail account and emailing them to yourself?

R.

 

[Fanum]

Due to media induced paranoia about remote data storage, how robust are memory sticks for long term photo storage? or would the external hard drive be a better option? I don't have many to store and they are mainly phone snapshots, but it would be nice to know they are reasonably safe.

No idea.....never seen any long term tests on memory sticks

Having said that.....a hard drive has moving parts and if it gets a hard knock, the platter can get wrecked, plus it's got little whirry bits, cogs, cams and elastic bands etc, so long term, I'd guess that a solid state dongle might be a good bet

I've put my 4gb memory stick through a 60 degree wash cycle (accidentally) and after a day or two left out to dry, it's still operating fine

PS stick it on dvd as well, and as Lo-Iq would say, job's a carrot

PS they're a lot cheaper as well

 

[Walowiz]

You could always get one of these... Corsair Survivor if you are really concerned

OCZ also do robust flash drives.

If you don't like the idea of remote storage, then a portable hard disk (or DVD's) at a separate location and a flash drive would be a good place to start.

If I remember correctly, and if I haven't I am sure someone will be along soon to correct me, DVD's don't last for as long as you think, and aren't that reliable as a long term backup solution.

Also I have seen loads more hard disk failures, than I have seen good quality flash drives break. None of the dozen or so flash drives I have here have broken.

 

[GS_or_bust]

I bust a memory stick by accidently pulling it out during a write session (light on), it was dead as a dodo afterwards.

 

[Onwalkabout]

Check with your ISP. Some like BT provide a remote storage facility where you can upload files as part of your internet subscription. Alternatively there are plenty of companies that do remote data storage fro a small fee (often less than the cost of an HDD.

I use a portable hard drive for my daily backup and once a week a backup goes to an offsite remote server. Both processes are automatic as the backup drive is permanently attached to the USB port. The remote server, being accessible anywhere via the internet means I can get the files from any computer.

For a simple solution though, I prefer the substance of a hard drive.

 

[LOLGEOFF]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll go the memory stick and dvd route as it sounds effective and the more simple option.

 

[Loiq]

all media is flawed all data is fragile...

we use hard drives, cards, flash drives, solid state media like it's going out of fashion at work we thrash'em and sell'em on after 6 months sometimes less, data is money to us so it's simple exconomics of scale.

for a private user

SD card's are very reliable for the money I'd dunked'em in salt water and they still worked, I don't recommend but it can be done. SXS drives are great but proper money £400 plus, DVD's as backup storage is very good in dark and temprature colded space. (shoe box under the bed) Hard drives can fail but we've only every had a few go really wrong.

Or external storage like BT vault, iron mountain, FTP sites, google mail etc. are all great till they crash, you forget your login or your money runs out.

I would say if it's important 3 copies is enough on two seperate mediums

and yes... Jobs a carrott....

 

[STUBBS]

i use both seperate memory stick for music photos and documents and all togeather on an external hard drive

 

[maz]

Most USB memorysticks, have a 10year storage life guarantee so should be safe for storing photos/videos etc.

External HDD's are ok too, but never put all you eggs in one basket.

Either way there is always the risk of failure leading to dataloss.

I tend to backup to three locations (not including network/ext hdd (which is where i store the masters).
My USB pen drives, A DVD, and I use one of my Gmail accounts as online Photo storage.

 

[Redboots]

You could always print them and stick them in an album

John

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Fastest speed read/write since i last checked. Corsair 8gb Flash Voyager memory stick. Get one

http://www.corsair.com/products/flash.aspx

I use external hdd's for my stuff some 15-Terabyte. I've moved to 1TB hdd's, 160gb SSD for my toughbook

 

[Rushy]

Most USB memorysticks, have a 10year storage life guarantee so should be safe for storing photos/videos etc.

s'funny I didnt know that until I read the same thing just this morning on a pen drive spec.

 

[WiiMW]

You can get 500GB hdd delivered now for £69.99 ... buy 2 one to hold data ... the other to back it up ...

maybe