When the time comes, we will transfer our archived images and other data to the next generation of storage devices. BTW, recently I installed a 400K diskette containing data from May 1984 recorded from my old 128K Macintosh. My Powerbook Duo288c running MacWrite II opened a MacWrite file with no problem, and a recent version of MacPaint opened an old MacPaint file. Larry Allard Pinnacle Micro claims 30 years for its magneto-optical storage media. Dear Larry, list, et.
Todays recording densities make for far more fragile records.
This is NOT a simplistic topic, but one lying under layers and layers of systems design. Also, you should read the 'fine print' when it comes to statements about media lifetime estimates. DAT DDS tapes, for example, have a 10 year estimated lifetime. What that actually means is that if you use a tape once to record and put it on a shelf in a temp. Divide that by some factor if stored under less than ideal conditions.