How do you preserve those old photographs or videos? A concept currently in the running over at Microsoft Next-Gen PC Design, is the Pre-Pixel Preservation project which can scan photographs when inserted on one end, then come out on the other end. The scanner figures out what is loaded in the tray then asks user what to do with it. User can adjust the quality, change file type, preview items, and tell it where to store them. There's no doubt we need more ideas like this one.
"There are millions of pre-digital files decaying in public and private spaces. This concept is a solution to translate this historical/memorable information into a place where the files can be shared and preserved. One of the greatest components about digital data is that it has an unique ability to be persevered in comparison to a physical artifact such as a photo, tape, or film. Not only are these analog artifacts becoming extinct in the big picture but also the tools for processing, duplicating, viewing, and developing are slowly disappearing. Digital media can effortlessly be modified, stored, and reproduced in a short amount of time. Computers now have storage capabilities are nearly endless. The balance between the cost of disk space and preserving memory/artifact are incomparable, this is an opportunity to help users to collect memories, share with others, and preserve history. There has yet to be an efficient method to bridge the barrier between analog and digital media."
You can vote for the idea here from now until March 23.