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rsync

Free account, indefinitely, to whoever needs it to store this data … including the storage vendor.

Just email…

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Parent is maintainer of rsync.net, in case that wasn't obvious. (There's no contact information in your profile.)

I believe contact info is here: https://www.rsync.net/resources/contact.html

Why's there a pricing page?

https://rsync.net/pricing.html

Because storing PBS archives is a voluntary public service, and storing other random peoples' stuff isn't.

What a wild idea

> indefinitely

Which, in practical terms, means "while I or my investors have money". These guys have 70 years worth of data, can you guarantee to keep it for another 70? The real answer to these kinds of problems is managing the data yourself

There's a difference between an archive and a backup it's true. If this really is intended to be archival they need to come up with a plan with the Library of Congress, the US Archives, or a similar institution. There are archivists in the world and they should come up with a plan for this that's written and will outlast all the people in the room.

Not certain how well LOCKSS has done over time as Internet Archive seems to get all the press, but it seemed to be a solid concept with some level of implmentation:

Taking its name (Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe) from the idea that a file is more likely to survive if it has multiple copies stored in multiple places, LOCKSS software allows libraries to create preserved digital collections out of materials that would otherwise be accessible only through a licensed academic subscription. LOCKSS has agreements with academic publishers to permit libraries to store local copies of content that is usually only accessible through web-based subscriptions, enabling post-cancellation content access.

https://coptr.digipres.org/index.php/LOCKSS_(Lots_of_Copies_...

LOCKSS is a technology and I could imagine it being part of a plan - but archivists still need to consider what entity owns the data and has rights to give access to it, what jurisdiction governs the data, how to transfer ownership/rights, which combination of tools should be used to achieve the goals, and also what goal there is for the data.

At present (especially for PBS), it would be wise to use an archive service that receives zero U.S. federal dollars and is not subject to the executive branch’s efforts to rewrite history to fit their preferred narrative.

I'm surprised libraries haven't taken a similar route to universities and store local data and backups for neighboring libraries.

Libraries were the archives for newspapers and local public information.

I doubt many libraries have the budget for it. Libraries aren't a popular service and are perennial targets for conservative "cost cutting."

rsync.net is a special exception. Maybe the most reliable and trustworthy service money can buy.

I'm thinking of ways to do that. I think maybe partnering with long lived institutions like universities or national libraries?

I highly suggest (if you haven't already done so) you contact Nine PBS, as they (Nine PBS) won't be reading Hacker News.

(random user here) Emailed Nine PBS

Edit per “no contact on profile” comment:

  Contact info@rsync.net for more information, and answers to your questions.

rsync is good stuff, I've been a happy customer of https://www.rsync.net/products/borg.html for years.

Out of general interest: whats your bus factor?

Epic.

fucking legend

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