"archival" CDs again

[Panza, Robin]

There's an interesting (5 May) article on the web site of DC's radio station
WJLA about CD longevity.  This has been a popular topic on this listserv.
According to the article, there's a new problem--"CD rot" where the
reflective layer develops pinprick holes that cause skipping.  It goes on to
discuss other problems with CDs and DVDs, such as label glue or writing
implement damanging the reflective layer and DVD bilayers coming unglued.
Even name-brand discs change their formulation, so what's a good brand today
may not be sturdy next fall.  The story is at this URL:

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0504/144689.html

Robin

Robin K Panza
Section of Birds, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh  PA  15213-4080
ph:  412-622-3255;     fax:  412-622-8837
PanzaR at CarnegieMNH.org