An overview of and best practices for digitization, digital images, scanners, filetypes, and software. (c) 2008 Michael Sheyahshe & Mary Skaggs www.alternativemedia.biz

1. MS Digitizing Training

50. Media Table Storage Media Type Information Limitations / Considerations PC Hard drive This is the hard drive “space” your machine; usually the C drive or other. While this is a good place to begin capturing and using digital images, computers are subject to user error (accidental deletion or change) and outside hazards (virus attack or malicious code). Unless Digitized images are also backed up on another storage media, there is no redundancy and files could potentially be lost or damaged. Floppy Disc (3.5 inch or other) Usually small and square-looking; maximum capacity: 1.44 MB. Unless your Digitized images are extremely small and/or for PC monitor-only viewing, ‘floppies’ will mostly likely not offer enough storage space. Mechanical moving parts are easily damaged, making data easily lost. Susceptible to heat and other environmental factors. However, they are very portable.

51. Media Table (cont’d) Storage Media Type Information Limitations / Considerations CD or CD-ROM High density storage media based on a 4.75" reflective optical disc. Can hold up to 650 to 700 MB of data, that is equivalent to 12,000 images or 200,000 pages of text. No moving parts. Some susceptibility to heat and environmental factors, but not as bad as floppies. DVD-ROM Physically the same size as a CD-ROM, a DVD has much more capacity for information. A standard DVD-ROM can carry 4.7GB of data which is over 6 times as much as a CD-ROM. DVDs can be authored so that they are compatible with home DVD players, as well as for PCs, Macs and laptops etc. No moving parts. Some susceptibility to heat and environmental factors, but not as bad as floppies.

52. Media Table (cont’d) Storage Media Type Information Limitations / Considerations ZIP Drive Similar to Floppy, but holds much more. A high-density removable-media drive. Each diskette holds either 100 or 250 megabytes. Mechanical moving parts are easily damaged, making data easily lost. Susceptible to heat and other environmental factors. However, they are very portable. USB or “flash” or “jump” drives Portable storage device with a USB interface to connect with PC. Flash drives storage capacity is ever-increasing. Currently up to 5+ GB storage. Portable. No moving parts. Some susceptibility to heat and environmental factors, but not as bad as floppies. External USB Storage USB connection; external hard drive; usually externally powered. Unlimited storage (currently up to 800+ GB). Usually very sturdy.

59. Hot Sheet: Using the Right Storage Media Digitization Project Suggested Storage Types Web-based images; email newsletter; PC monitor-only view. Floppy USB Flash Drive (recommended) PC Hard Drive Digital Image for In-House Printer USB Flash Drive PC Hard Drive (recommended) Digital Image for Print Shop USB Flash Drive PC Hard Drive CD/DVD (recommended) Archiving Digitized Images PC Hard Drive CD/DVD External USB hard drive (recommended)