Computing Seminar

Data Recording Technology - past, present & future

Jim Craze

Abstract

A driving force behind key decisions in data acquisition, processing, sorting, analyzing, and storage of data is the quality of the recording system. Quality of design, along with hardware, recording media, and the recording media interface can make a significant difference in the quality and reliability of resulting data. This talk will touch on various aspects of past and present data storage processes, and look to the near future (3-5 years) to give personal views mixed with some known developmental products that could shape the future of data storage. Hearing another viewpoint on data storage is an opportunity to benefit and perhaps learn some thing new about the importance of quality data recordings that can compliment your decision process. Data can be considered "priceless" when it is known that certain research and special event data can not be generated economically or collected a second time. This talk will offer some suggestions on keeping data readable after it is already in hand as well as comments on improving data quality before recording.

About the speaker: Jim Craze earned a Bachelor of Science in Technology & Management with honors from Maryland University at College Park, Maryland, and has over 30 years of experience with US Government and industry recording systems. Jim has served as a government representative on the American National Standards Institute digital tape standards committee, served as the Director, Media Technology Center, for a DOD agency, and has extensive experience in magnetic tape quality assurance, media erasure, tape recycling, and recording media manufacturing processes. His experience includes interactions with major recording companies and US research universities who study magnetic recording technology, and or make commercial products. Jim is currently a private consultant who works within the recording industry with corporate firms who design and manufacturer recording technology products. He has experience with recorder and tape operations, and offers advice to assist program & data storage managers on how to improve the quality and reliability of their data.