Online Legacy

Do you remember the tape-based phone message systems that were popular twenty years ago? Perhaps you still use one. If so the voice-recording quality has likely degraded. Do you save voice messages from special people?

I read a story in the Wall Street journal (April 7, 2010) about James Alan Bouton, the author of "Ball Four" a best selling book on baseball published in 1970. The author created a controversy with antedotes about the infamous exploits of famous players of the 60's. Several players were upset along with the commissioner. It was believed that Mickey Mantel took the accusations personally but before his death in 1995, Mickey called the author and left a personal message. The author states in the article that he is "saving the tape for his grandchildren".

Tapes don't "save", they decay. And worse, the devices that "play" tapes are disappearing.
Unless Mr. Bouton takes steps to digitize the tape, his grandchildren won't Mickey's voice.

Most voice mail systems today use hard drive media. But they are often temporary service plans. My cell phone messages must be re-saved every 10 days or they are automatically erased. For years I re-saved a special message from my five year-old grandson - until I forgot - and now it is lost.

to be continued.