Provides an introduction to the technical aspects of digital audiotape and compares it to other computer storage devices such as optical data disks and magnetic tape cartridges in terms of capacity, transfer rate, and cost. The current development of digital audiotape standards is also discussed. (five references) (CLB)

This publication discusses optical storage, a term encompassing technologies that use laser-produced light to record and store information in digital form. The booklet also discusses how optical storage systems relate to records management, in particular to the management of local government records in New York State. It describes components of…