MAGNETIC TAPE REHABILITATION STUDY,
Abstract:
The study was initiated to investigate the merit of using degaussed magnetic tape for data recording. Degaussing is not a problem, but serious problems do exist in evaluating the suitability of a given roll of tape for re-use, and in the conservation of tapes if the present practice of using only virgin tape for primary data recording is modified to permit the use of degaussed, cleaned, and inspected tape. conservation includes, among others, such problems as the adjustment of recording equipment the manner in which the tape is wound before being placed in storge the conditions of shipment and storage duplication of recordings and redundant storage and development of criteria of tape recycling limitations where at present these criteria are lacking or doubtful. The report discusses the conservation problems and suggests approaches to their solution.