880 lines
35 KiB
Plaintext
880 lines
35 KiB
Plaintext
cat faq
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Path: dziuxsolim.rutgers.edu!rutgers!apple!agate!sprite.berkeley.edu!rab
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From: rab@sprite.berkeley.edu (Robert A. Bruce)
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Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom
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Subject: alt.cd-rom FAQ
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Keywords: FAQ
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Message-ID: <149i4fINN7tb@agate.berkeley.edu>
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Date: 18 Jul 92 16:50:23 GMT
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Followup-To: alt.cd-rom
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Distribution: alt
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Organization: University of California, Berkeley
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Lines: 864
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NNTP-Posting-Host: jaywalk.berkeley.edu
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========================= FAQ alt.cd-rom ===================================
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FAQ for the alt.cd-rom usenet newsgroup. Last modified on 18 July 1992.
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This list is posted to alt.cd-rom every month. The latest version is
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available via anonymous ftp from cdrom.com (192.153.46.254): /pub/faq.
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Disclaimer: I have a direct financial interest in some of the companies
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mentioned in this posting, and indirect financial interest in several others.
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============================================================================
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1. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs?
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1a. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in North America?
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1b. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Europe?
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1c. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Asia?
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1d. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Australia and New Zealand?
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2. Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive?
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3. Where can I get caddies?
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4. Are there any good periodicals and publications on CD-ROMs?
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5. Why are CD-ROM drives so slow?
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6. Is it important to have a fast CD-ROM? Does 300ms vs. 700ms really matter?
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7. Is it important to buy a fully SCSI compatible drive?
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8. How much does it cost to make a CD-ROM?
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9. Where can I get a CD-ROM published?
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10. Where can I find equipment to make my own CD-ROMs?
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11. How much information will fit on a CD-ROM?
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12. Why doesn't MSCDEX work with DOS 5.0?
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13. Where can I get the latest version of MSCDEX?
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14. What is the difference between `High Sierra' and ISO-9660?
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15. Where can I get a copy of the ISO-9660 standard?
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16. Can you give a short explaination of ISO-9660?
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17. What the heck does `Red Book' and `Yellow Book' mean?
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18. What is CD-I?
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19. What is CD-ROM/XA?
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20. What are the Rock Ridge extensions?
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21. Is a short technical introduction to these standards available?
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22. Are there any ftp sites with good stuff related to CD-ROMs?
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23. How do I write an MSDOS program that can access a cdrom using MSCDEX?
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24. How do I mount an ISO-9660 disc on a Sun?
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25. How do I use a CD-ROM with OS/2?
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26. How do I read an audio cd track as digital data?
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27. Why do CD-ROMs cost so much?
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28. Why do all the bundle deals require me to buy a drive? What if I
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already have a drive?
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29. Are alt.cd-rom archives available anywhere?
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30. What is the shelf-life of a CD-ROM?
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31. How should I handle my CD-ROMs? How do I clean them?
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32. Where can I get some information about the Kodak Photo CD?
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33. ???? Please send any other questions (and answers) that should
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be included in this FAQ to rab@cdrom.com.
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==========================================================================
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1. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs?
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Jim Raehl has compiled an excellent list of sources for inexpensive
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CD-ROMs. His list is periodically posted to alt.cd-rom, and is available
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via anonymous ftp from cdrom.com:/pub/faq_disc.
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You can get a list of about 85 CD-ROM titles by sending a blank message
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to CD-ROM@micromed.net.netcom.com
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==========================================================================
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1a. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in North America?
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---------------------------------
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Buckmaster Publishing
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Route 3, Box 56
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Mineral, VA 23117
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703-894-5777 or 800-282-5628
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A ham radio callbook database and 5000 public domain programs: $50
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---------------------------------
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Bureau of Electronic Publishing
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141 New Road
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Parsippany, NJ 07054
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1 800 828-4766
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Publish lots of CD-ROM titles. Call them for a catalog.
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----------------------------------
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CD-ROM INC
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1667 Cole Blvd, Suite 400
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Golden, CO 80401
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1 800 821-5245
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Many discs, drives and accessories. Call for free catalog.
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------------------------------------
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CDROMS Unlimited
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P.O. Box 7476
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Fremont, CA 94537-7476
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1 510 795-4286 Call for catalog
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------------------------------------
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CD-ROM User's Group
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Post Office Box 2400
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Santa Barbara, CA 93120
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805-965-0265
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Bundle of 10 discs for $99.
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------------------------------------
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Computers At Large
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18728 Cabernet Drive
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Saratoga, CA 95070-3561
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(408)255-1081, (408)255-2388 - FAX
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------------------------------------
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EBSCO Subscription Services (CD-ROM Handbook)
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P.O.Box 325
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Topsfield, MA 01983
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508-887-6667 800-221-1826 508-887-3923 (Fax)
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------------------------------------
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EDUCORP
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7434 Trade Street
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San Diego, CA92121-2410
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1-800-843-9497
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------------------------------------
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Faxon Co., Inc. (Access Faxon)
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15 Southwest Park
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Westwood, MA 02090
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617-329-3350 800-225-6055 617-461-1862 (Fax)
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------------------------------------
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Nautilus
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7001 Discovery Blvd
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Dublin, OH 43017-8066
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1-800-637-3472
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Provides a CD-ROM of the month subscription. 13 CD-ROM's for $138.
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------------------------------------
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Prime Time Freeware
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415-112 N. Mary Ave., Suite 50
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Sunnyvale, CA 94086
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(408) 738-4832, (408) 738 2050 FAX, ptf@apple.com
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UNIX-related source code on CD-ROM
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------------------------------------
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Profit Press
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2956 N. Campbell Ave.
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Tucson, AZ 85719
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602-577-9624
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MEGA-Rom, 600+ meg MSDOS, $79
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------------------------------------
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Raynbow Software, Inc.
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P. O. Box 327
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Rapid City, SD 57709
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(605) 394-8227, louis@ce.ucsc.edu, CompuServe: 70410,413
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5000 GIFs on CD-ROM with Search Engine for $55
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------------------------------------
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Stanford University Press
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415-723-1593
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CD-ROM with authoring system containing four books illustrating its use: $17
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------------------------------------
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Sterling Software
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1404 Ft. Crook Rd. South
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Bellevue, NE 68005-2969
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800 643-NEWS, 402 291-2108, 402 291-4362, cdnews@Sterling.COM
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uunet!sparky!cdnews, ftp.uu.net:/vendor/sterling
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NetNews/CD: Usenet news on CD-ROM
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------------------------------------
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Updata Publications, Inc. (CD-ROM Guide)
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1736 Westwood Blvd
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Los Angeles, CA 90024
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310-474-5900 800-882-2844 310-474-4095 (Fax)
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------------------------------------
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Walnut Creek CDROM
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1547 Palos Verdes Mall
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Suite 260
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Walnut Creek, CA 94596
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1 800 786-9907, 1 510 947-5996, 1 510 947-1644 FAX
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Snapshots of major internet archives on CD-ROM
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------------------------------------
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Wayzata Technology Inc.
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P.O. Box 807
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Grand Rapids MN 55744
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1 800 735-7321 Call for catalog
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==========================================================================
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1b. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Europe?
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------------------------------------
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British Software Licensing
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280 (T/L) West Princes Street
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Woodlands
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Glasgow G4 9EU
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United Kingdom
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+44 41 339 8855 x 5021, +44 41 339 7264, Graham_Robertson@vme.glasgow.ac.uk
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------------------------------------
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CD-ROM Jacob
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Aarstrasse 98
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CH-3005 Bern
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Switzerland
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------------------------------------
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CD ROM (UK) Ltd
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8 Sheep St, Highworth
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Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 7AA
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United Kingdom
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44-0793-861146, 44-0793-765331 (Fax)
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------------------------------------
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EBSCO Subscription Services
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3 Tyers Gate
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London SE1 3HX
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United Kingdom
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44-71-357-7516
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------------------------------------
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Faxon Europe, B.V.
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Postbus 197
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1000 AD Amsterdam
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The Netherlands
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31 (20) 91-05-91, 31 (20) 91-17-35 (Fax)
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------------------------------------
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Micro Haus Limited
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P.O. Box 149
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Gloucester
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GL3 4EF
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United Kingdom
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------------------------------------
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Mountain Rose Multi Media
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Kikkerveen 331
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3205 XC Spijkenisse
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The Netherlands.
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Phone: +31 1880 33083 / Fax: +31 1880 41551 / Email: sterbbs@sus.eur.nl
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------------------------------------
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STARCOM
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International Computer Services
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Limburggasse 45
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A-9073 Klagenfurt-Viktring
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Austria
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+43 (463) 29 67 22, +43 (463) 29 67 24 FAX
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------------------------------------
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WasaWare Oy
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Palosaarentie 31
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SF-65200 VAASA
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Finland
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Telephone & Fax: +358 61 173365, Email: hv@uwasa.fi
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==========================================================================
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1c. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Asia?
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------------------------------------
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Software Studio
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Shop 217
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Olympia Shopping Center
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255 King's Road
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North Point
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Hong Kong
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+852 510 7470 FAX
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------------------------------------
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UniForce System Ltd.
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903 Kin Tak Fung Comm. Bldg
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467-473 Hennessy Road
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Hong Kong
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Voice: (852)838-6048 Fax: (852)572-4778
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==========================================================================
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1d. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Australia/New Zealand?
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------------------------------------
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The Cave MegaBBS
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PO Box 2009
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Wellington
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New Zealand
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BBS: +64 4 5643429 V22b, +64 4 564-5307 FAX, clear@cavebbs.gen.nz
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------------------------------------
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CompuCD
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GPO Box 1624
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Canberra City
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ACT 2601
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Australia
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fax: +61 06 2319771
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------------------------------------
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Ilb Computing
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48 Nebo Drive
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Figtree Heights
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NSW 2525
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Australia
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+61 42 28 5827
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------------------------------------
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Logicware
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1 Riverbank Off. Vil.
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Cnr 1st St. & O'Shea Ter.
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Katherine, N'rn Terr. 0850
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Australia
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fax: +61 89 72 3412
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==========================================================================
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2. Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive?
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------------------------------------
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The NEC CD-ROM drives 336,37,73,74,83, etc. have received many favorable
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recommendations. NEC CD-ROM drive information can be FAX'ed to you. Call
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NEC Fastfacts at 800-366-0476, and then follow the directions. You will
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be prompted for a Catalog or Product Number. Catalog Number 2 is for
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CD-ROM and Product Number 730101 is for the CRD-73M and 730100 is for the
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CDR-73. Similarly for the CDR-37. No information was available on the
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CD-74. You will be prompted for your 10-digit FAX number and your local
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voice telephone number. If you haven't received your FAX with 30 minutes
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try again. For international callers, the Fastfacts FAX number is
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+1 708 860-9500x2621. You can get documents, and drivers, from the NEC
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BBS at +1 508 635-6328.
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------------------------------------
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DAK has a slow but reliable drive for $199. For an extra $49 you can get
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a bundle of discs.
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DAK Industries Incorporated
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8200 Remmet Avenue
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Canoga Park, CA 91304
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Orders: 818-888-8220, 800-DAK-0800
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Technical information: 800-888-9818
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------------------------------------
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The Pioneer DRM-600 6-disk changer drive is available for $979 from
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Kintronics Computer Products
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3 Westchester Plaza
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Elmsford, NY 10523
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914-347-2530 or 800-431-1658 attention Neal Allen
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==========================================================================
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3. Where can I get caddies?
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Here are a few sources of caddies:
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---------------------------------------------------------------
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CD-ROM INC
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1667 Cole Blvd
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Suite 400
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Golden, CO 80401
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1 800 821-5245
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Call for the latest price.
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----------------------------------------------------------------
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Digital Audio Disc Corp.
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1800 North Fruitridge Ave.
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Terre Haute, IN 47804
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+1 812 462-8100
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Sony Caddies "Made in Japan", 1000 for $4100
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----------------------------------------------------------------
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EDUCORP
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7434 Trade Street
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San Diego, CA 92121-2410
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1-800-843-9497
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$55 for 10
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----------------------------------------------------------------
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QB Products
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1260 Karl Court
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Wauconda, IL 60084
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+1 800 323-6856 +1 708 487-3333
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Sony Caddies "Made in USA", 10 for $54, 1000 for $3900
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----------------------------------------------------------------
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Walnut Creek CDROM
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1547 Palos Verdes Mall
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Suite 260
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Walnut Creek, CA 94596
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+1 800 786-9907, +1 510 947-5996, +1 510 947-1644 FAX
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Sony or Philips caddies - $4.95 each, no volume discounts
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==========================================================================
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4. Are there any good periodicals and publications on CD-ROMs?
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------------------------------------------------------------
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A catalog describing CD-ROM publications and a newsletter is available from
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Future Systems
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P.O. Box 26
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Falls Church, VA 22040
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Telephone 800-323-DISC or 703-241-1799
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One of their books contains a list of about 1500 CD-ROM's.
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------------------------------------------------------------
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CD-ROM Professional is a bi-monthly magazine with product reviews,
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technical articles, industry news, etc. This is a "must read" for
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anyone in the CD-ROM business. $39.95/year
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CD-ROM Professional Magazine
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462 Danbury Road
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Wilton, CT 06897
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+1 800 248-8466
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------------------------------------------------------------
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"The CD-ROM Directory" is available on either paper or CD-ROM from
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UniDisc
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3941 Cherryvale Avenue,
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Soqeul, CA 95073
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(408) 464-0707
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------------------------------------------------------------
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"CD-ROM Collecion Builder's Toolkit, 1992 Edition"
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Paul T. Nicholls
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Eight Bit Books, Weston, CT
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ISBN: 0-910-96502-1
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$39.95
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------------------------------------------------------------
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CD-ROMS IN PRINT 1992
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An International Guide to CD-ROM, CD-I, CDTV & Electronic Book Products
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Meckler Publishing
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11 Ferry Lane West
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Westport, CT 06880
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------------------------------------------------------------
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Newsgroups and mailing lists:
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On the internet, the best source of information is the newsgroup
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alt.cd-rom, which is linked to the BITNET list CDROM-L.
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You can subscribe to CDROM-L by sending the following command to
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LISTSERV@UCCVMA.UCOP.EDU:
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SUBSCRIBE CDROM-L Your full name
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The internet newsgroup comp.multimedia is a good source of information
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on multimedia topics.
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CDROMLAN (available on usenet as bit.listserv.cdromlan) covers the
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use of CD-ROM products on local area or wide area networks. You can
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join the list be sending the following command to
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LISTSERV@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU:
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SUBSCRIBE CDROMLAN Your full name
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CD-ROMs are in heavy use in libraries and government document
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repositories, both for access to indexes and for distribution of
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government data. The relevant lists are PACS-L
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(bit.listserv.pacs-l) and GOVDOC-L (bit.listserv.govdoc-l).
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Send to LISTSERV@PSUVM.PSU.EDU:
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SUBSCRIBE GOVDOC-L Your full name
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Send to LISTSERV%UHUPVM1.BITNET@VM1.NODAK.EDU
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SUBSCRIBE PACS-L Your full name
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Discussions of music on CD can be found in rec.music.cd.
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==========================================================================
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5. Why are CD-ROM drives so slow?
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Compact discs were originally designed for music. When you are
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listening to "Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits", you are accessing the
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data sequentially and at a very regular speed. The only time you need
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to seek is when you decide to skip over a song, or back up and listen
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to "Always on my Mind" one more time.
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In order to fit as much music as possible onto the disc, the data
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is recorded at the same linear density near the outer edge of the disc
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as it is near the center, so there is more information in the outside
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tracks than in the inside tracks. In order to deliver a steady rate
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of data, the linear velocity of the disc moving under the head is
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constant, so the angular velocity of the disc changes when the head
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moves from the center toward the outside tracks. This is no big deal
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when you are playing music, but when you are trying to do random access
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to a CD-ROM, the need to accelerate and decelerate the disc is the biggest
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obstacle to making it faster. Most magnetic discs spin at a constant
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angular velocity, so the data density decreases toward the outside of the
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disk, but seeks are faster.
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A few other reasons that CD-ROMs are slow: Optical disc heads tend to be
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heavier than magnetic disk heads, so they have more inertia, and take
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longer to stablize onto a new track. Many CD-ROMs contain too much data
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to make effective use of RAM caches.
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As time goes by, CD-ROM drives will get a little faster, but don't expect
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any miracles.
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==========================================================================
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6. Is it important to have a fast CD-ROM? Does 300ms vs 700ms really matter?
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It depends on what applications you will be using. Many CD-ROMs
|
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are just big archives of stuff, and you can copy individual programs
|
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to your hard disk before using them so speed is not really very
|
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important. But if you are going to be using large ramdom-access
|
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databases, or any kind of interactive multi-media applications, then
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the speed difference is very noticeable.
|
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==========================================================================
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7. Is it important to buy a fully SCSI compatible drive?
|
|
|
|
Several CD-ROM drives only support a sub-set of SCSI, and usually
|
|
come with their own semi-SCSI controller card. Full SCSI compatible
|
|
drives usually cost more, but are better if you already have a SCSI
|
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controller and want to daisy chain several devices, or if you want to
|
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be able to use the drive on different machine types.
|
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|
|
==========================================================================
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8. How much does it cost to make a CD-ROM?
|
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You can get a master made for about $1300, and then about $1.50 per
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disc for duplication. So to make 1000 discs, it will cost you about
|
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($1300 + (1000 * 1.50)) = $2800. Publishers often have `first-timer'
|
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specials with steep discounts off the list price. For instance, DMI
|
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recently had a special of mastering, 50 discs, and two hours of tech
|
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support for $750.
|
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|
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If you only want a few discs, you can have single `one-offs' made for
|
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about $200 for the first disc, and $100 for additional copies.
|
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==========================================================================
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9. Where can I get a CD-ROM published?
|
|
|
|
I have used both of these companies, and highly recommend either:
|
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|
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Digital Audio Disc Corporation
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1800 North Fruitridge Avenue
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Terre Haute, IN 47803
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812-462-8100, 812-466-9125 FAX
|
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|
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Disc Manufacturing Inc.
|
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4905 Moores Mill Road
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Huntsville, AL 35810
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800-433-DISC, 205-859-9042, 205-859-9932 FAX
|
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|
|
A more detailed list of 25 publishers in 8 countries is available via
|
|
anonymous ftp in cdrom.com:/pub/publshrs.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
10. Where can I find equipment to make my own CD-ROMs?
|
|
|
|
If you want to do single copy `one-offs', or low volume CD production,
|
|
there are recorders announced by JVC, Philips and Sony.
|
|
|
|
JVC Personal ROM-Maker $12500
|
|
Philips CDD 521 $6000
|
|
Sony CDW-900E $10000
|
|
|
|
None of these recorders are actually available. You might be able to
|
|
buy one of the JVC drives by late summer. The Philips drive will not
|
|
be available till September. The Sony drive might be available in July.
|
|
|
|
Here are some phone numbers you can call for more info:
|
|
|
|
JVC Product Information: +1 714 965-2610
|
|
Philips Consumer Electronics: +1 615 475-8869
|
|
Sony Computer Peripheral Products: +1 800 352-7669
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
11. How much information will fit on a CD-ROM?
|
|
|
|
It depends on the drive. Most CD-ROM drives will handle up to 650
|
|
megabytes with no problems. Some CD-ROM discs have over 700 megabytes
|
|
of data, but some drives will have trouble reading all the tracks.
|
|
|
|
The CD-ROM Users Group (see above) has a diagnostic CD-ROM that
|
|
will tell you how much information your drive can handle.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
12. Why doesn't MSCDEX work with DOS 5.0?
|
|
|
|
You must use SETVER with MS-DOS 5.0, to make MSCDEX 2.20 work properly.
|
|
Otherwise you will get an incorrect DOS version message. See the MS-DOS
|
|
5.0 documentation on how to use SETVER. MSCDEX 2.21 works with MS-DOS 5.0
|
|
without SETVER.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
13. Where can I get the latest version of MSCDEX?
|
|
|
|
Call MS BBS at 206-936-4082. Choose F for file library, S UPDATES, F to
|
|
list files, then D MSCDEX.ZIP to download the file. (Microsoft may have
|
|
deleted this file.)
|
|
|
|
You can get the latest version of MSCDEX (2.21) in a self-extracting zip
|
|
archive via anonymous ftp from cdrom.com:/pub/cdext.exe.
|
|
|
|
You can get the latest MSCDEX extensions by email by sending a blank
|
|
message to MSCDEX@micromed.net.netcom.com.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
14. What is the difference between `High Sierra' and ISO-9660?
|
|
|
|
Not much. When the standard was first proposed, it was given the name
|
|
"High Sierra'. Later it was adopted as an offical standard, with a few
|
|
minor modifications, and was designated ISO-9660. Usually when someone
|
|
says "High Sierra", they really mean ISO-9660.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
15. Where can I get a copy of the ISO-9660 standard?
|
|
|
|
You can order a copy of the ISO-9660 standard from
|
|
|
|
ANSI
|
|
Attn: Sales
|
|
11 West 42nd Street
|
|
New York, NY 10036
|
|
212-642-4900
|
|
|
|
Cost to US destinations is $50, plus $6 shipping, check or money order.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
16. Can you give a short explaination of ISO-9660?
|
|
|
|
ISO-9660 is an international standard that defines a filesystem for
|
|
CD-ROMs. Almost all systems support ISO-9660.
|
|
|
|
Level one ISO-9660 is similar to an MS-DOS filesystem. Filenames are
|
|
limited to eight single-case characters, a dot, and a three character
|
|
extension. Filenames cannot contain special characters, (no hyphens,
|
|
tildes, equals, or pluses). Only single case letters, numbers, and
|
|
underscores. Directory names cannot have the three digit extension,
|
|
just eight single-case characters.
|
|
|
|
All alphabetics are in UPPER case; some software maps this to lower case.
|
|
Either the file name or the extension may be empty, but not both ("F."
|
|
and ".E" are both legal file names).
|
|
|
|
There is a "File Version Number" which can range from 1-32767, and is
|
|
separated from the extension by a semi-colon. The file version number
|
|
is ignored on many systems.
|
|
|
|
Here are some examples of legal and illegal filenames:
|
|
|
|
Legal Illegal Why
|
|
TEST_1C.TXT TEST-1C.TXT hyphen
|
|
TEST1C.TXT TEST 1C.TXT space
|
|
TEST.1C TEST.1C.TXT more than 1 period
|
|
README Readme not single case
|
|
|
|
Subdirectories are allowed to nest up to eight levels deep.
|
|
|
|
Level two ISO-9660 allows longer filenames, up to 32 characters.
|
|
But many of the other restrictions still apply. Level two discs
|
|
are not useable on some systems, particularly MS-DOS.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
17. What the heck does `Red Book', `Yellow Book', etc. mean?
|
|
|
|
"Red Book" is the common name of the "Compact Disc Digital Audio
|
|
Standard". When a disc conforms to the red book standard, it will
|
|
usually have "digital audio" printed below the "disc" logo. Most music
|
|
CDs conform to this standard.
|
|
|
|
"Yellow Book" is the standard for CD-ROM. When a disc conforms to the
|
|
yellow book, it will usually say "data storage" beneath the "disc" logo.
|
|
|
|
"Green Book" is the CD-I (compact disc interactive) standard.
|
|
|
|
"Orange Book" is the standard for write-once compact discs.
|
|
|
|
"Blue Book" is the standard for LaserDisc.
|
|
|
|
You can get the Red Book and Yellow Book from
|
|
|
|
ANSI
|
|
Attn: Sales
|
|
1430 Broadway
|
|
New York, NY 10018
|
|
(212) 642-4900
|
|
|
|
Red Book: CEI IEC 908
|
|
Yellow Book: ISO 10149:1989
|
|
|
|
You can get the Green Book from
|
|
|
|
American CD-I Association
|
|
11111 Santa Monica, Suite 750
|
|
Los Angeles, CA 90025
|
|
(213) 444-6619
|
|
|
|
[If anyone can tell me where the other standards are available, I will
|
|
include that information here.]
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
18. What is CD-I?
|
|
|
|
CD-I means "Compact Disc Interactive". It is meant to provide a standard
|
|
platform for mass consumer interactive multimedia applications. So it is
|
|
more akin to CD-DA, in that it is a full specification for both the
|
|
data/code _and_ standalone playback hardware: a CD-I player has a CPU,
|
|
RAM, ROM, OS, and audio/video/(MPEG) decoders built into it. Portable
|
|
players add an LCD screen and speakers/phonejacks.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
19. What is CD-ROM/XA?
|
|
|
|
CD-ROM/XA is an extension to the Yellow Book Standard. A track on
|
|
a CD-ROM/XA disc can contain computer data, compressed audio data,
|
|
and video/picture data. Many CD-ROM drives do not support CD-ROM/XA.
|
|
|
|
CD-ROM/XA extends CD-ROM by adding some of the CD-I disc features (such
|
|
as using Mode 2 tracks with interleaved compressed-audio and other data).
|
|
Thus CD-ROM/XA (eXtended Architecture) is often called the "Bridge" format
|
|
between CD-ROM and CD-I... though the relationship is mostly the sector
|
|
types. CD-ROM/XA applications still require specific code for each target
|
|
platform.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
20. What are the Rock Ridge extensions?
|
|
|
|
The Rock Ridge extensions use some undefined fields in the ISO-9660 standard
|
|
to allow full unix-like filenames, symbolic links, and deep directories.
|
|
|
|
"Rock Ridge" is named after the town in the movie "Blazing Saddles" for no
|
|
particular reason.
|
|
|
|
To receive a copy of the current version of the Rock Ridge specifications,
|
|
please contact Bob Niland, e-mail rjn@fc.hp.com, fax 303 229 4545.
|
|
|
|
For information on Rock Ridge at Sun, try rrinfo@Eng.Sun.COM or
|
|
cdgroup@fantasy.eng.sun.com.
|
|
|
|
For information on Unix-based premastering software supporting the Rock Ridge
|
|
extensions contact:
|
|
|
|
Young Minds Inc.
|
|
1910 Orange Tree Lane
|
|
Suite 300
|
|
Redlands, CA 92374
|
|
|
|
714 335-1350
|
|
714 798-0488 FAX
|
|
yngmnds!ayoung@ucrmath.ucr.edu
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
21. Is a short technical introduction to these standards available?
|
|
|
|
The file ftp.apple.com(130.43.2.3): /pub/cd-rom/cd-rom.summary gives
|
|
a short techie introduction to compact disc technology.
|
|
|
|
There is a good brief explaination of all these standards in the paper
|
|
|
|
"Compact Disc Terminology"
|
|
Nancy Klocko
|
|
Disc Manufacturing Inc.
|
|
1409 Foulk Road, Suite 202
|
|
Wilmington, DE 19803
|
|
1-800-433-DISC
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
22. Are there any ftp sites with good stuff related to CD-ROMs?
|
|
|
|
A couple of sites with cdrom related stuff are
|
|
|
|
cdrom.com (192.153.46.254): /pub
|
|
|
|
cs.uwp.edu (131.210.1.4): /pub/cdrom
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
23. How do I write an MSDOS program that can access a cdrom using MSCDEX?
|
|
|
|
The MSCDEX interface documentation is available on the Microsoft Programmer's
|
|
Library CD-ROM. This also has detailed specifications for drivers that talk
|
|
to MSCDEX. It even provides solutions to a number of sticky problems.
|
|
|
|
The file mscdex21.zip contains Microsoft's info on how to talk to the
|
|
CD-ROM extensions (MSCDEX.EXE) and a sample DOS application which is crude
|
|
but effective in playing audio tracks. This file is available via
|
|
anonymous ftp from ftp.cica.indiana.edu:/pub/pc/win3/uploads/mscdex21.zip
|
|
or cdrom.com:/pub/mscdex21.zip.
|
|
|
|
MSCDEX programming information can be found in INTER31?.ZIP. Ralf Brown's
|
|
interrupt bible. The information is very complete. The interrupt list
|
|
is available via anonymous ftp from Simtel20 (wsmr-simtel20.army.mil) or
|
|
from the mirror site wuarchive.wustl.edu: /mirrors/msdos/info/inter31?.zip.
|
|
|
|
There is a book by Ray Duncan (Microsoft Press) detailing all extensions
|
|
to Dos (XMS, LIM EMS, MSCDEX etc..) which should be available in book
|
|
stores. The title is "MS-DOS EXTENSIONS" ISBN 1-55615-212-4.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
24. How do I mount an ISO-9660 disc on a Sun?
|
|
|
|
Su to root and run this command,
|
|
# mount -r -t hsfs /dev/sr0 /cdrom
|
|
or even better, put the following line in your /etc/fstab
|
|
/dev/sr0 /cdrom hsfs ro 0 0
|
|
and then run
|
|
# mount /cdrom
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
25. How do I use a cdrom with OS/2?
|
|
|
|
short answer: create a dos system diskette that can access the
|
|
CD-ROM. Copy the diskette onto the os/2 harddisk using the VMDISK
|
|
command. Attach the image file created by VMDISK to a program icon.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
26. How do I read an audio cd track as digital data?
|
|
|
|
Most CD-ROM drives cannot decode audio information. There are
|
|
firmware and data path reasons why it doesn't work. The drive
|
|
vendors could make drives that allow this feature.
|
|
|
|
The only known drive with the capability to read audio tracks is the
|
|
CD ROM drive sold by Silicon Graphics for use with their Indigo
|
|
workstation. The drive is manufactured by Toshiba.
|
|
|
|
[ There is a rumor that the Future Domain SCSI controller comes with a
|
|
test utility which allows you to read raw data blocks off any type of
|
|
CD. If you have any first-hand experience, please let me know. ]
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
27. Why do CD-ROMs cost so much?
|
|
|
|
Here are several answers, take your pick:
|
|
|
|
A. Because too many people are willing to pay the high prices.
|
|
|
|
B. They are not really very expensive when you consider how much data
|
|
they contain. Even the most expensive CD-ROMs are often cheaper
|
|
than the least expensive floppies when you figure the cost per byte.
|
|
|
|
C. Because there isn't enough competition. The prices will come down
|
|
when more people buy drives, and more CD-ROM titles are available.
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
28. Why do all the bundle deals require me to buy a drive? What if I
|
|
already have a drive?
|
|
|
|
Many disc producers sell outdated or surplus discs at steep discounts
|
|
to be bundled with new drives. The theory is that the new drive owner
|
|
will find the discs useful, and order the latest version at full price.
|
|
|
|
There are some bundle deals that do not require you to buy a new drive.
|
|
For instance, the CD-ROM User's Group (see above) has a bundle of ten
|
|
discs for $99.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
29. Are alt.cd-rom archives available anywhere?
|
|
|
|
Good question. I don't know. If anyone is archiving this group,
|
|
please let me know.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
30. What is the shelf-life of a CD-ROM?
|
|
|
|
If a CD-ROM is not manufactured properly, the lifetime can be very
|
|
short, perhaps only a few years. This can happen if the edge of the
|
|
disc is not properly sealed, and oxygen reaches the metal surface.
|
|
|
|
If the disc is manufactured properly, it will last a very long time.
|
|
Most CD-ROMs should last for more than a human lifetime.
|
|
|
|
Philips has proposed new standards for testing CD-ROMs that are expected
|
|
to result in discs that will enjoy a life span of more than a thousand
|
|
years. For more information see Fox, Barry "CD Makers Perform in Unison
|
|
to Stop the Rot" New Scientist 134(1815) (April 4, 1992):19.
|
|
|
|
The laser used in a CD-ROM drive is very low power, and does not
|
|
harm the disc in any way. Reading the disc will not shorten
|
|
the lifetime.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
31. How should I handle my CD-ROMs? How do I clean them?
|
|
|
|
The following guidelines represent the current thinking for the care
|
|
and handling of CD-ROM discs, by a number of CD-ROM disc and drive
|
|
manufacturers. The validity and usefulness of most of these
|
|
guidelines have not been substantiated by Government testing and
|
|
therefore are presented for information only.
|
|
|
|
Wash your hands before contact with the disc. If available, wear
|
|
lint-free cloth gloves, finger cots, or talc-free latex gloves.
|
|
|
|
If you must wipe the disc, do so with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth in
|
|
a radial motion- that is from the inner to the outer hub- not in a
|
|
circular motion around the disc like you might do for a phonograph
|
|
record. The most devastating scratches are those which occur along a
|
|
radius of the disc which can obscure a long stream of pits.
|
|
|
|
Certain cleaning agents and solvents can damage the discs. Some of
|
|
these include: gasoline, paint thinners, benzine, acetone, carbon
|
|
tetrachloride, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia, and household
|
|
detergents which contain ammonia. Do not clean with a water soaked
|
|
cloth. The use of Isopropyl alcohol, the ingredient in many
|
|
commercial CD cleaning products, as well as certain waxes and acrylic
|
|
liquids, is still questionable.
|
|
|
|
Do not clean the label side of the disc.
|
|
|
|
Use of a CD-ROM caddy is highly recommended during transport and
|
|
operation. Limit the amount of physical contact with the disc.
|
|
|
|
Always handle the disc by the outer edge and/or the inner (hole) edge.
|
|
Never touch the data surface.
|
|
|
|
Discs like to "live" in the same conditions that people do; that is:
|
|
They don't like to be manhandled
|
|
They don't like exposure to temperature extremes
|
|
They don't like exposure to excess humidity
|
|
They don't like exposure to high intensity UV light
|
|
|
|
Ron Kushnier, Chairman
|
|
Compact Disc- Reliability & Integrity of Media Working Group of
|
|
The Special Interest Group on CD-ROM Applications and Technology
|
|
Code 5053
|
|
Naval Air Warfare Center
|
|
Warminster, PA. 18974
|
|
(215) 441-1624
|
|
FAX (215) 441-7271
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
32. Where can I get some information about the Kodak Photo CD?
|
|
|
|
To learn more about Photo CD products or other KODAK desktop color
|
|
imaging products, contact Eastman Kodak Company at 1-800-242-2424 Ext 51.
|
|
|
|
Or send inquiries to the following address:
|
|
|
|
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
|
|
Kodak Information Center
|
|
Dept. E. 343 State Street
|
|
Rochester, NY 14650-0811
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
33. Where can I get maps of the US on CD-ROM?
|
|
|
|
The USGS is producing a series of cds that contain 1:100,000 scale
|
|
digital line graph (DLG) data. Presently, only Florida is available.
|
|
Also, 1:2,000,000 DLG cd is available for the US. Call 1-800-USA-MAPS
|
|
for more info.
|
|
|
|
==========================================================================
|
|
|
|
pilot.njin.net% |