That file must be somewhere on my old hard drive, just need to find it…
Pundits have been prognosticating the end of written or printed documents for a long time. Even my sons (both computer engineers) think so, but when it comes to providing solid evidence, nothing beats a written document with an original signature, et cetera.
Books & Photographs
Google’s efforts to scan any (non-copyright protected) book published anywhere and anytime, and to make it available in an electronic form is quite commendable. It should contribute to the world’s store of scientific and non-scientific literature for perpetuity. Still, that exercise would not be possible without carefully preserved ancient and not-so-ancient tomes written on vellum, parchment or paper. From acid-containing paper eating itself within a few decades, to dyes and inks quickly fading into oblivion, many (relatively) recent paper-based documents are self-destructing. Their preservation for posterity is only possible by means of converting them to electronic formats.
Many older photographs have similar problems. For example, some of the color photographs of only a two or three decades ago have faded almost beyond recognition, even without any exposure to light. Compare that to century-old black and white silver-based photographs on glass plates. They are still as crisp as when they were taken some 100+ years ago.
So, why would you even want to hang old to any old books or photographs?
Computing Power
Modern computing power (combination of hardware and software) is truly awesome. It allows you (or at least someone who can use/devise a program) to do almost anything – in “virtuality” from converting old black-and-white movies to changing your wedding photograph to reflect “current status” and anything else. And the systems are getting better by the day. Soon you’ll be unable to differentiate between the true original and a “computer-enhanced” version of whatever.
There is, however, still something the electronic “paper” cannot do: Showing the actual physical imprint of the pen you used to sign it. Moreover, modern forensic techniques also allow determination of paper age, the ink composition, fingerprints, and other “invisible” marks.
So, when it comes to hard physical evidence, nothing beats the old-fashioned document routine. You might wish to consider that when you sign your next “virtual” document.
Sorry, sonnies!
