• mox@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    18
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    7 days ago

    Perhaps because they still work?

    And, unlike flash storage, magnetic media can retain data indefinitely when stored without power.

    • 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.