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Jim Garner wrote:

> I expect I will be changing computers before long, so the stuff I have on
> my hard disk needs to be stored or backed up somehow.

Buy the new computer.

Buy lots of disk space.

But more disk space.

Buy a network cable.

Mount old computer drive on new computer.

Copy from old to new.

Retain old computer as a backup copy.

Cycle as you purchase newer computers. You may retain the network
cable at your option.

Avoid CD. Avoid DVD. Do not argue with physical reality, as you
_will_ lose: the second law says you _must_ expend energy to avoid
entropic effects. Pray nightly for high-density, inexpensive,
no-moving-parts solid state storage to arrive.

Tom's experience mirrors the public experience... CD-R most dependable,
CD-RW somewhat less dependable, DVD-R somewhat less dependable than
CD-RW, DVD-RW even less dependable than DVD-R for long term storage.

>>Retain old computer as a backup copy. Cycle as you purchase newer computers. You may retain the network
cable at your option. Avoid CD. Avoid DVD.<<

eawckye's advice works ONLY as long as the new computer has a drive
interface circuit which is compatible with the harddrive in the new
computer! obviously eawckye has not been around long enough to have
experienced the evolution of harddrives from ST-506 thru ESDI thru IDE
thru EIDE thru SATA, SCSI thru SCSI-2 thru SCSI-3 etc etc. nor
computer buses from ISA thru EISA thru PCI...few of which are ever
compatible with one another!

wilt wrote:

> Tom's experience mirrors the public experience... CD-R most dependable,
> CD-RW somewhat less dependable, DVD-R somewhat less dependable than
> CD-RW, DVD-RW even less dependable than DVD-R for long term storage.

I am hitting 200GB of audio and images, and no end in sight. How many
DVD's is that? Why should I manage a large collection of pieces of
plastic of uncertain lifespan? What's in it for me? I gave up on
piles of 3.5" diskettes over 10 years ago, and, as far as I am
concerned, only an idiot would return to such.

I advise you, and everyone else, not to act like an idiot.

> >>Retain old computer as a backup copy. Cycle as you purchase newer computers. You may retain the network
> cable at your option. Avoid CD. Avoid DVD.<<
>
> eawckye's advice works ONLY as long as the new computer has a drive
> interface circuit which is compatible with the harddrive in the new
> computer! obviously eawckye has not been around long enough to have
> experienced the evolution of harddrives from ST-506 thru ESDI thru IDE
> thru EIDE thru SATA, SCSI thru SCSI-2 thru SCSI-3 etc etc. nor
> computer buses from ISA thru EISA thru PCI...few of which are ever
> compatible with one another!

Well, it's apparently too late for you: yer acting like an idiot.

The old computer is kept as a backup. You know, the one with the
required electronics to read whatever the data is stored on? You copy
from old to new and keep the old until another 'new' comes around.
Read what I write more carefully, or retain the services of someone who
can explain the concepts to you in a language you (alone?) understand.