How do you preserve the digital past?

Our government produces trillions of digital files. Digital information decays much faster than paper because formats change and the media itself (magnetic film, hard drives, tapes, disks) physically break down and replacements are no longer made. 2 companies are bidding on a permanent solution that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. But it is worth every penny. The Fading Memory of the State: "The Fading Memory of the State "