MOTM

It was handling.  In my truck, on the floor-boards after surf-
fishing.  That sort of thing.  I noticed that the media flaked off of 
someone else's CD-R that I bought, also mis-handled...

Mike

--- In motm@y..., "coyoteous" <satori@t...> wrote:
> 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"