[Gondring]

(Heck I've got work files going back 8 or 10 years.)

So where are your original data files from 25 years ago?

[Raycpa]

So where are your original data files from 25 years ago?

I have client records which go back much farther than 25 years because the original data is still relevant.

[kcvl]

So where are your original data files from 25 years ago?

Mine are in a rented storage building because the IRS will demand proof of your investments from the date of purchase if they ever audit you.

I guess the IRS requirements are more strict than science which will change our lives forever?

[GEC]

About 13 years ago I worked on a study involving data from the late 70s that was on tapes. There was extensive data on about 20,000 individuals. The guy who authored the study kept the original tapes in his basement all that time and called in a favor to have it converted into ascii data. It was relatively trivial for me to convert it and load it up for comparison to a more recent data set.

It can be done if you’re even remotely responsible, let alone a government agency.

[Red Dog #1]

Over the years I've saved most on an external hard drive and duplicate DVDs. The stuff is pretty useful and I don't see any reason to destroy it. Of course I'm pretty certain that I'm not the target of a FOIA request or lawsuit, unlike...oh say CRU or Mr. Mann.