Mary - viewing the digital image depends on a number if things: that the image is in a format that is likely be around in the future (TIFF and JPEG are a reasonable assumption) and therefore that software exists to read them; that the storage device it is on will be readable in the future (CDs don't last that long - they are easily corrupted, and might end up just fading away to be replaced by a different type of media - look how DVD is taking off); that images will be 'migrated' each time the equipment is upgraded; that quality demands are taken into account; that back-ups have been made and stored ina similar manner... it has been estimated that the life of a digital image before any changes need to be made (e.g. migration to a new format or media storage) is about 5 years maximum. By contrast, photographic prints can last much, much longer if stored correctly - and that doesn't have to be full-on cold storage - simply taking basic care of photos is enough.