97% of people we surveyed want to keep their best photos for the rest of their life or for generations

Summary 

People wish to keep their photos and their records for lifetime or even generations, yet many appear unconcerned about the fact that in a few years' time current devices and on-line services may no longer be in use, and even the file formats might not be supported.  Old fashioned printed books and documents are still the best.  Fortunately they are much easier to produce now.

 Our Survey 

Incartek has conducted a survey on behalf of OPUS albums and found out that:

     41% of responders say their photos should be kept and found the 'rest of my life'. 
      56% of responders say that they should be kept for ‘generations’  
      Only 3% said they should be kept for 10 years or less. 

We have also placed polls on a number of forums asking for thoughts on how long files can be read.  Not significant enough yet, but

     40% thought that computers in 2020 would be able to read current CD’s and JPG files.
     50% thought that they would be able to read JPG files but NOT current CD’s.
     10% thought that neither CD’s nor JPG files would be supported.

What is your opinion?  E-mail me. (daniel@incartek.com)

We asked Microsoft for their view.  This is the response of their spokesperson:

Even they can’t be sure.  I think you get the point.

We also placed a poll  Will photo-share (like Flikr) and video-share (like You Tube) be around in 20 years time? – with the responses

     Both of these services will be doing fine (even if they've changed ownership or name)  
     Yes this sort of thing will be around - but those particular services will have gone (with their databases)  
     No - things will have moved on by then. Something else will be the rage 
     No - we'll be back to pen and paper

We have not yet received enough responses on this one.  Your comments are welcome.

Our times are in God’s hands we know; how long the ‘rest of our lives are’ we don’t know.  Some readers, not me, might hope to live to 2080 – generations would mean 100 years or more!  Can one foresee the electronic media that would be around then?  CD’s will have gone the way of the floppy and tape cassette.  If one wants to keep your records indefinitely, electronic media – at home or at a central repository – cannot be relied on.  One thing is for sure though – well printed documents on archival acid free papers with permanent (pigmented) ink should last, especially if kept in a good environment.  This is where companies like OPUSalbums.com come in.

Do you agree with our sentiments? - Do our One Minute Poll now!

Incartek is a specialist management consultancy specialising in the imaging supplies industry.  It is associated with Excelsis Enterprises, a full range consultancy.

If you wish to contribute to these polls (You may have to join Ecademy first, but I recommend it):

How long do want to keep your digital photos?

Will Windows 2020 support .JPG files?

Will Windows 2020 support current CD’s

Will Flikr and You Tube be around in 20 years time?

or enter the full questionnaire

http://www.oneminutepoll.com/OneMinutePoll/OneMinuteSurvey.aspx?SID=-2147482248

Do you agree with our sentiments? - Do our One Minute Poll now!