MOTM

The problem is probably marginal media, a wonky burner, 
handling, storage conditions or labeling:

1) It's almost impossible to tell the "good" media from the "bad" 
these days without a several thousand dollar error analyzer (best 
if it also has an RF analog output). In most cases cost of the 
media is not an indicator of quality. Quality can very within a 
single batch.

2) Obviously, if the disc is failing somewhere down the road from 
the burn, it's probably not the burner - but not always. But again, 
specialized test equipment is required. These days, it is a fallacy 
that you will get a better burn at a lower speed - you might or you 
might not. Burn disc-at-once (DAO), if possible. I highly 
recommend Plextor drives.

3) Handing: here's one you can do something about. Avoid 
handling the "read" side, though the other side is actually the 
most mechanically fragile of the two. Use the the hole and the 
edges. Any CD or DVD should always be "in" or on its way to 
being "in" something (case, sleeve, tray, caddy). Avoid slot 
loaders (not always possible).

4) Storage: extended UV exposure will kill a CD-R. Avoid soft 
plastic sleeves and cases (clamshells). Gases from these will 
damage the top side of any CD/DVD over time. They have other 
problems, too. The verdict is still out on the sort of "in between 
hard and soft" DVD boxes, I avoid them for CD-R or DVD-R. Use 
Tyvek or acid-free paper sleeves or any of a number of "real" 
hard plastic Jewel  boxes.

5) Never* use anything but a water soluble marker to write on a 
CD, a Sanford Sharpie will  absolutely cause the disc to fail 
somewhere down the road. I use them when I want something 
to "time bomb." You are writing on three micro thin layers of stuff, 
the bottom one is your data. Paper "stomper" labels have 
problems in CD-ROM drives and slot loaders for obvious 
reasons. Inkjet, thermal print and silkscreen are good if done 
properly.

* Sharpie on the clear inner ring seems to be okay - not much 
room to write anything, though (date, project #, etc.)

I will analyze CDs for MOTM ;-)

Barry


--- In motm@y..., "mmarsh100" <mmarsh@s...> wrote:
> Hello All -
> 
> For the veritable *mountain* of folks that ordered my CD, I've 
run 
> into some troble with the CDW's longevitiy.  I haven't treated 
them 
> at all well, but 1 year and then skips is a problem.
> 
> If you have my CD and actually want to listen to it in future, 
please 
> take abnormal care with it!  If it's already trashed, then send me 
3 
> bucks (for postage) via PayPal and I'll send you a new one.  If it 
> gets trashed in future, the deal still holds.
> 
> One day when I'm rich and famous, I'll have it pressed...
> 
> Mike, currently working on "Son of Absolute Truth"