Here's a link to a ComputerWorld article on the life span of recordable CDs. I don't think it's quite as bad as they say, but it sure isn't encouraging.
http://tinyurl.com/7zqez
As for a few of the problems metioned above. Keeping CDRs in cars is asking for trouble. The heat, and even the light, are definitely bad for them. If you do this, have a spare locked away in a cool, dark place.
And the noise/static mentioned on older CD-Rs could be due to any writing on the disc. Unless it was done with a water based marker, the ink can eat through the protective coating and cause that effect. There are now inexpensive "Sharpies" available at many office supply stores that are made for made for marking CDRs.
BTW, here's a somewhat geekier article from ComputerWorld on how to keep important data. It recommends an old format called "tape".
http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/1552
http://tinyurl.com/7zqez
As for a few of the problems metioned above. Keeping CDRs in cars is asking for trouble. The heat, and even the light, are definitely bad for them. If you do this, have a spare locked away in a cool, dark place.
And the noise/static mentioned on older CD-Rs could be due to any writing on the disc. Unless it was done with a water based marker, the ink can eat through the protective coating and cause that effect. There are now inexpensive "Sharpies" available at many office supply stores that are made for made for marking CDRs.
BTW, here's a somewhat geekier article from ComputerWorld on how to keep important data. It recommends an old format called "tape".
http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/1552