Hello all,

I've been researching options for long term data storage very intensely 
recently.  I posted several messages on DVD media recently, and I want to 
come back later to the topic of video conversion.  I've accumulated a 
number of resources I'll share as soon as I organize them a bit.

In some cases, I'm getting more questions than answers.  Everything I read 
says you should maintain archive media in climate controlled 
conditions.  For tapes, that usually amounts to about 50 degrees F and 25% 
humidity or so.

I'm looking for a source for self contained small climate controlled 
cabinets / safes / vaults which could be used in a small or medium business 
or institution.  It may or may not be portable.  The size range should be 
capable of holding about 100 ea 4" x 4" x 1" tapes on the low end and about 
1000 tapes on the high end.  The racks should be modifiable to hold 
different size tapes or discs.  I have been unable to find such a 
thing.  As alternatives, I have looked at: wine coolers - too damp, cigar 
humidors - usually no active climate control and too damp, thermoelectric 
drink coolers - minimal temperature control and no humidity control, and 
mini refrigerated cases - no humidity control I think.  I have ruled out 
scientific environmental test chambers on the basis of cost and size.

So, I have come up with several questions:

1) As far as you know, does such a thing exist and do you use any?

2) If you don't use any, would you find such a thing useful to your 
business or institution?

3) Do the features I described sound appropriate?

4) What other or different features would you expect in such a device?

5) What do you think you'd be willing to pay for it?

6) How many units and what size do you think you would need?

7) And, in terms of using stored media, how long would you let a tape 
removed from the 50 degree case acclimate to the surroundings?  Would you 
be worried about condensation if the work environment has higher humidity, 
say 50% - 60%?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Ron Frazier

------------------------------
Ron Frazier - owner of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/futureenergynow/ , 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/futureenergyproducts/
http://c3energy.com/ --- http://c3energy.com/alt_energy/
http://c3energy.com/computersecurity/ --- http://c3energy.com/health/

I am an independent researcher / consultant specializing in Alternative 
Energy and Data Security.
I am particularly interested in exploring ways to archive data over long 
periods of time.

Ron Frazier
4050 Dorothy Dr.
Cumming, GA  30041
770-205-9422 (O)     404-431-5472 (C)
Email: rwfrazier AT c3energy DOT com  (replace the AT and DOT by hand)

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