data type is more important than medium (Score 3, Interesting)

This is a dual problem:

1) Digital data needs to be moved about once every 5 years onto a new physical store, disk, whatever. Think of the amount of data sitting around on floppy disks that is being lost as we speak.

2) Data has to be recorded in a way that that presumes whatever software you use to create it will not exist in the future. Anyone who saved their life's work in some ancient binary word processor file will know what I mean. For most computer-based data storage that requires data be stored somewhere in plain text, and using as open a format of 'markup' as possible, if any.

In effect, from a historical/archival point of view, data does not exist unless it is kept in at least two places at all times, and unless whatever bit of software you use to create it can also save it in a non-binary format of some sort for access for future generations who don't have a copy of your software.

Ok, that does not pertain to sound recordings or images, but even then some sort of 'permanent' standard is essential for all data.

I used to work with medieval documents written on vellum - sheep skin. The original Domesday book was written on vellum, and is as readable today as it was in 1150. (It also doesn't need a power supply to work!) Meanwhile the digital 'Domesday' Laser Disk made in the early 80s in the UK had to be saved from oblivion a few years ago (with a great deal of work) because the computers and hardware that it was created to work with were utterly obselete. Fortunately, and unusually, someone realised the problem before it was too late.