Data multiplies as storage costs fall.

• Position: STUDY - Brief article

According to The International Data Corporation DC), the amount of data in the world doubles every 18 months and is expected to hit 18,000 exabytes (1 million terabytes) by 2011. A single exabyte is roughly equal to the information contained in 12 stacks of books extending from the Earth to the sun, IDC said.

The cost of everyday data storage has fallen dramatically in recent years. Today's 2,000 GB drive is the same size, weight, and...