They are also easily damaged by extreme heat and cold. If a disk is damaged, it may be possible to salvage the information on them, but unfortunately not very often. In order to protect your work and your students work, please be aware of potential disk failure and inform your students of it. Always check a disk before you save your entire file, and save important files on 2 separate disks. Store disks in a clean, hard-shelled case.
Unprotected diskettes carried in a backpack are especially vulnerable to damage.
These files are backed-up nightly. Print your file at various stages of development, if the inevitable happens, at least you would have a hard copy to reconstruct your file from. Use separate disks for PC and Mac files whenever possible. When all else fails, stop by the HelpDesk. They attempt to repair bad diskettes after 5 p.m. weekdays or on weekends.