Hi Lowell - being a computer expert myself and working with everything from punch cards to CD's and also specializing in conversions from one system to another I can appreciate the task of converting data. It is unfortunate that there has been such a loss of data - I can only attribute it to the 'lowest bid' sort of situation and incompetence.

Occasionally you might have a bit of media go bad but I still work with 9 track tapes (unfortunately) and even punch card readers can still be found.

There really is no need for loss of data if planning goes right and the proper procedures are followed and data is 'brought forward' along with the computer systems - I think what might be plaguing a data library such as NEIC is lack of proper funding. A number of my clients have opted for electronic storage of data rather than a warehouse full of paper.

When moving my office recently I had to stiffen my resolve and throw those old 9-track tapes and 8 inch floppies out! I even had some old Z-80 chip programs - What OS was that? CPM!

Canie