Problem with CD ROM for publishing taxon descriptions

[Robin Leech]

I have some spider literature printed about 20-25 years ago on less than
excellent paper, and some on high-gloss kaolin paper.  Both kinds are
cracking at the spines, and the pages are tending to break away from the
spine.  So much for books outlasting CD-ROMs.
Further, I think that any technology that can make a CD can make a tool that
will allow one to copy the data on it onto a newer type of CD.  I could
photocopy all my spider literature, but, gawd, I sure would hate to.
Robin Leech

----- Original Message -----
From: Gregor Hagedorn <G.Hagedorn at BBA.DE>
To: <TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG>
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 1999 6:35 AM
Subject: Problem with CD ROM for publishing taxon descriptions


> > I see no functional difference between a published book and a CD-ROM.
Once
>
> One difference we should be aware of is that a CD ROM most likely
> cannot be read in 20 years, whereas a book can be used as reference
> after 100 years. This is true not because the CD itself has
> deteriorated (which will happen much later), but because most likely
> very few functioning CD ROM drives can still be found, and if so, no
> software and operating system under which the programs on the CD will
> run.
>
> Just try to use a program that has been designed for Windows 3.0 and
> will not run under a later version... I still have Windows 3.1 disks
> stored somewhere, and I may be able to find an old computer on which
> it could still be installed, but 3.0? And that was 10 years ago...
>
> A CD is a wonderful medium, but if new descriptions of taxa are
> published on it, we will be getting a problem.
>
> Gregor
>
> Gregor Hagedorn
> Inst. f. Mikrobiologie, BBA     Net: G.Hagedorn at bba.de
> Koenigin-Luise-Str. 19          Tel: +49-30-8304-2220 or -2221
> 14195 Berlin, Germany           Fax: +49-30-8304-2203
>
> Often wrong but never in doubt!
>