[Digikam-users] General "DNG and alternatives" discussion regarding long-term archiving.

[Andrew Goodbody]

On 25/01/12 14:14, Mark Hayes (Hotmail) wrote:
> I'm looking for a long-term archiving solution for my RAW files using Linux.

You cannot guarantee anything over such a long term. The best you can do 
is use the best format at the time and if that format looks like going 
out of maintenance then, and only then, convert to something with better 
prospects at that time. IMO the best format at the moment is the one it 
comes out of the camera as. Any conversion will at best maintain all the 
information but in general is likely to lose some information. That 
information may seem trivial and not worth worrying about now but will 
you feel the same way further down the line.

In addition to your choice of format you also need to consider the 
storage medium. Again, there is nothing that is guaranteed to keep data 
for such a long term. So you will need to maintain it which will entail 
regular moves onto new media as well as multiple copies thereof. Again 
you will need to choose the best media to use, at the time you do the 
refresh, to keep for the next period.

Andrew