• taladar@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    15
    ·
    7 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      12
      ·
      edit-2
      7 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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        7 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.