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Path: dziuxsolim.rutgers.edu!rutgers!apple!agate!sprite.berkeley.edu!rab
From: rab@sprite.berkeley.edu (Robert A. Bruce)
Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom
Subject: alt.cd-rom FAQ
Keywords: FAQ
Message-ID: <149i4fINN7tb@agate.berkeley.edu>
Date: 18 Jul 92 16:50:23 GMT
Followup-To: alt.cd-rom
Distribution: alt
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
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NNTP-Posting-Host: jaywalk.berkeley.edu
========================= FAQ alt.cd-rom ===================================
FAQ for the alt.cd-rom usenet newsgroup. Last modified on 18 July 1992.
This list is posted to alt.cd-rom every month. The latest version is
available via anonymous ftp from cdrom.com (192.153.46.254): /pub/faq.
Disclaimer: I have a direct financial interest in some of the companies
mentioned in this posting, and indirect financial interest in several others.
============================================================================
1. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs?
1a. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in North America?
1b. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Europe?
1c. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Asia?
1d. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Australia and New Zealand?
2. Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive?
3. Where can I get caddies?
4. Are there any good periodicals and publications on CD-ROMs?
5. Why are CD-ROM drives so slow?
6. Is it important to have a fast CD-ROM? Does 300ms vs. 700ms really matter?
7. Is it important to buy a fully SCSI compatible drive?
8. How much does it cost to make a CD-ROM?
9. Where can I get a CD-ROM published?
10. Where can I find equipment to make my own CD-ROMs?
11. How much information will fit on a CD-ROM?
12. Why doesn't MSCDEX work with DOS 5.0?
13. Where can I get the latest version of MSCDEX?
14. What is the difference between `High Sierra' and ISO-9660?
15. Where can I get a copy of the ISO-9660 standard?
16. Can you give a short explaination of ISO-9660?
17. What the heck does `Red Book' and `Yellow Book' mean?
18. What is CD-I?
19. What is CD-ROM/XA?
20. What are the Rock Ridge extensions?
21. Is a short technical introduction to these standards available?
22. Are there any ftp sites with good stuff related to CD-ROMs?
23. How do I write an MSDOS program that can access a cdrom using MSCDEX?
24. How do I mount an ISO-9660 disc on a Sun?
25. How do I use a CD-ROM with OS/2?
26. How do I read an audio cd track as digital data?
27. Why do CD-ROMs cost so much?
28. Why do all the bundle deals require me to buy a drive? What if I
already have a drive?
29. Are alt.cd-rom archives available anywhere?
30. What is the shelf-life of a CD-ROM?
31. How should I handle my CD-ROMs? How do I clean them?
32. Where can I get some information about the Kodak Photo CD?
33. ???? Please send any other questions (and answers) that should
be included in this FAQ to rab@cdrom.com.
==========================================================================
1. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs?
Jim Raehl has compiled an excellent list of sources for inexpensive
CD-ROMs. His list is periodically posted to alt.cd-rom, and is available
via anonymous ftp from cdrom.com:/pub/faq_disc.
You can get a list of about 85 CD-ROM titles by sending a blank message
to CD-ROM@micromed.net.netcom.com
==========================================================================
1a. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in North America?
---------------------------------
Buckmaster Publishing
Route 3, Box 56
Mineral, VA 23117
703-894-5777 or 800-282-5628
A ham radio callbook database and 5000 public domain programs: $50
---------------------------------
Bureau of Electronic Publishing
141 New Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
1 800 828-4766
Publish lots of CD-ROM titles. Call them for a catalog.
----------------------------------
CD-ROM INC
1667 Cole Blvd, Suite 400
Golden, CO 80401
1 800 821-5245
Many discs, drives and accessories. Call for free catalog.
------------------------------------
CDROMS Unlimited
P.O. Box 7476
Fremont, CA 94537-7476
1 510 795-4286 Call for catalog
------------------------------------
CD-ROM User's Group
Post Office Box 2400
Santa Barbara, CA 93120
805-965-0265
Bundle of 10 discs for $99.
------------------------------------
Computers At Large
18728 Cabernet Drive
Saratoga, CA 95070-3561
(408)255-1081, (408)255-2388 - FAX
------------------------------------
EBSCO Subscription Services (CD-ROM Handbook)
P.O.Box 325
Topsfield, MA 01983
508-887-6667 800-221-1826 508-887-3923 (Fax)
------------------------------------
EDUCORP
7434 Trade Street
San Diego, CA92121-2410
1-800-843-9497
------------------------------------
Faxon Co., Inc. (Access Faxon)
15 Southwest Park
Westwood, MA 02090
617-329-3350 800-225-6055 617-461-1862 (Fax)
------------------------------------
Nautilus
7001 Discovery Blvd
Dublin, OH 43017-8066
1-800-637-3472
Provides a CD-ROM of the month subscription. 13 CD-ROM's for $138.
------------------------------------
Prime Time Freeware
415-112 N. Mary Ave., Suite 50
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 738-4832, (408) 738 2050 FAX, ptf@apple.com
UNIX-related source code on CD-ROM
------------------------------------
Profit Press
2956 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85719
602-577-9624
MEGA-Rom, 600+ meg MSDOS, $79
------------------------------------
Raynbow Software, Inc.
P. O. Box 327
Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 394-8227, louis@ce.ucsc.edu, CompuServe: 70410,413
5000 GIFs on CD-ROM with Search Engine for $55
------------------------------------
Stanford University Press
415-723-1593
CD-ROM with authoring system containing four books illustrating its use: $17
------------------------------------
Sterling Software
1404 Ft. Crook Rd. South
Bellevue, NE 68005-2969
800 643-NEWS, 402 291-2108, 402 291-4362, cdnews@Sterling.COM
uunet!sparky!cdnews, ftp.uu.net:/vendor/sterling
NetNews/CD: Usenet news on CD-ROM
------------------------------------
Updata Publications, Inc. (CD-ROM Guide)
1736 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-474-5900 800-882-2844 310-474-4095 (Fax)
------------------------------------
Walnut Creek CDROM
1547 Palos Verdes Mall
Suite 260
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
1 800 786-9907, 1 510 947-5996, 1 510 947-1644 FAX
Snapshots of major internet archives on CD-ROM
------------------------------------
Wayzata Technology Inc.
P.O. Box 807
Grand Rapids MN 55744
1 800 735-7321 Call for catalog
==========================================================================
1b. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Europe?
------------------------------------
British Software Licensing
280 (T/L) West Princes Street
Woodlands
Glasgow G4 9EU
United Kingdom
+44 41 339 8855 x 5021, +44 41 339 7264, Graham_Robertson@vme.glasgow.ac.uk
------------------------------------
CD-ROM Jacob
Aarstrasse 98
CH-3005 Bern
Switzerland
------------------------------------
CD ROM (UK) Ltd
8 Sheep St, Highworth
Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 7AA
United Kingdom
44-0793-861146, 44-0793-765331 (Fax)
------------------------------------
EBSCO Subscription Services
3 Tyers Gate
London SE1 3HX
United Kingdom
44-71-357-7516
------------------------------------
Faxon Europe, B.V.
Postbus 197
1000 AD Amsterdam
The Netherlands
31 (20) 91-05-91, 31 (20) 91-17-35 (Fax)
------------------------------------
Micro Haus Limited
P.O. Box 149
Gloucester
GL3 4EF
United Kingdom
------------------------------------
Mountain Rose Multi Media
Kikkerveen 331
3205 XC Spijkenisse
The Netherlands.
Phone: +31 1880 33083 / Fax: +31 1880 41551 / Email: sterbbs@sus.eur.nl
------------------------------------
STARCOM
International Computer Services
Limburggasse 45
A-9073 Klagenfurt-Viktring
Austria
+43 (463) 29 67 22, +43 (463) 29 67 24 FAX
------------------------------------
WasaWare Oy
Palosaarentie 31
SF-65200 VAASA
Finland
Telephone & Fax: +358 61 173365, Email: hv@uwasa.fi
==========================================================================
1c. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Asia?
------------------------------------
Software Studio
Shop 217
Olympia Shopping Center
255 King's Road
North Point
Hong Kong
+852 510 7470 FAX
------------------------------------
UniForce System Ltd.
903 Kin Tak Fung Comm. Bldg
467-473 Hennessy Road
Hong Kong
Voice: (852)838-6048 Fax: (852)572-4778
==========================================================================
1d. What are some good sources of CD-ROM discs in Australia/New Zealand?
------------------------------------
The Cave MegaBBS
PO Box 2009
Wellington
New Zealand
BBS: +64 4 5643429 V22b, +64 4 564-5307 FAX, clear@cavebbs.gen.nz
------------------------------------
CompuCD
GPO Box 1624
Canberra City
ACT 2601
Australia
fax: +61 06 2319771
------------------------------------
Ilb Computing
48 Nebo Drive
Figtree Heights
NSW 2525
Australia
+61 42 28 5827
------------------------------------
Logicware
1 Riverbank Off. Vil.
Cnr 1st St. & O'Shea Ter.
Katherine, N'rn Terr. 0850
Australia
fax: +61 89 72 3412
==========================================================================
2. Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive?
------------------------------------
The NEC CD-ROM drives 336,37,73,74,83, etc. have received many favorable
recommendations. NEC CD-ROM drive information can be FAX'ed to you. Call
NEC Fastfacts at 800-366-0476, and then follow the directions. You will
be prompted for a Catalog or Product Number. Catalog Number 2 is for
CD-ROM and Product Number 730101 is for the CRD-73M and 730100 is for the
CDR-73. Similarly for the CDR-37. No information was available on the
CD-74. You will be prompted for your 10-digit FAX number and your local
voice telephone number. If you haven't received your FAX with 30 minutes
try again. For international callers, the Fastfacts FAX number is
+1 708 860-9500x2621. You can get documents, and drivers, from the NEC
BBS at +1 508 635-6328.
------------------------------------
DAK has a slow but reliable drive for $199. For an extra $49 you can get
a bundle of discs.
DAK Industries Incorporated
8200 Remmet Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91304
Orders: 818-888-8220, 800-DAK-0800
Technical information: 800-888-9818
------------------------------------
The Pioneer DRM-600 6-disk changer drive is available for $979 from
Kintronics Computer Products
3 Westchester Plaza
Elmsford, NY 10523
914-347-2530 or 800-431-1658 attention Neal Allen
==========================================================================
3. Where can I get caddies?
Here are a few sources of caddies:
---------------------------------------------------------------
CD-ROM INC
1667 Cole Blvd
Suite 400
Golden, CO 80401
1 800 821-5245
Call for the latest price.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Digital Audio Disc Corp.
1800 North Fruitridge Ave.
Terre Haute, IN 47804
+1 812 462-8100
Sony Caddies "Made in Japan", 1000 for $4100
----------------------------------------------------------------
EDUCORP
7434 Trade Street
San Diego, CA 92121-2410
1-800-843-9497
$55 for 10
----------------------------------------------------------------
QB Products
1260 Karl Court
Wauconda, IL 60084
+1 800 323-6856 +1 708 487-3333
Sony Caddies "Made in USA", 10 for $54, 1000 for $3900
----------------------------------------------------------------
Walnut Creek CDROM
1547 Palos Verdes Mall
Suite 260
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
+1 800 786-9907, +1 510 947-5996, +1 510 947-1644 FAX
Sony or Philips caddies - $4.95 each, no volume discounts
==========================================================================
4. Are there any good periodicals and publications on CD-ROMs?
------------------------------------------------------------
A catalog describing CD-ROM publications and a newsletter is available from
Future Systems
P.O. Box 26
Falls Church, VA 22040
Telephone 800-323-DISC or 703-241-1799
One of their books contains a list of about 1500 CD-ROM's.
------------------------------------------------------------
CD-ROM Professional is a bi-monthly magazine with product reviews,
technical articles, industry news, etc. This is a "must read" for
anyone in the CD-ROM business. $39.95/year
CD-ROM Professional Magazine
462 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
+1 800 248-8466
------------------------------------------------------------
"The CD-ROM Directory" is available on either paper or CD-ROM from
UniDisc
3941 Cherryvale Avenue,
Soqeul, CA 95073
(408) 464-0707
------------------------------------------------------------
"CD-ROM Collecion Builder's Toolkit, 1992 Edition"
Paul T. Nicholls
Eight Bit Books, Weston, CT
ISBN: 0-910-96502-1
$39.95
------------------------------------------------------------
CD-ROMS IN PRINT 1992
An International Guide to CD-ROM, CD-I, CDTV & Electronic Book Products
Meckler Publishing
11 Ferry Lane West
Westport, CT 06880
------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups and mailing lists:
On the internet, the best source of information is the newsgroup
alt.cd-rom, which is linked to the BITNET list CDROM-L.
You can subscribe to CDROM-L by sending the following command to
LISTSERV@UCCVMA.UCOP.EDU:
SUBSCRIBE CDROM-L Your full name
The internet newsgroup comp.multimedia is a good source of information
on multimedia topics.
CDROMLAN (available on usenet as bit.listserv.cdromlan) covers the
use of CD-ROM products on local area or wide area networks. You can
join the list be sending the following command to
LISTSERV@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU:
SUBSCRIBE CDROMLAN Your full name
CD-ROMs are in heavy use in libraries and government document
repositories, both for access to indexes and for distribution of
government data. The relevant lists are PACS-L
(bit.listserv.pacs-l) and GOVDOC-L (bit.listserv.govdoc-l).
Send to LISTSERV@PSUVM.PSU.EDU:
SUBSCRIBE GOVDOC-L Your full name
Send to LISTSERV%UHUPVM1.BITNET@VM1.NODAK.EDU
SUBSCRIBE PACS-L Your full name
Discussions of music on CD can be found in rec.music.cd.
==========================================================================
5. Why are CD-ROM drives so slow?
Compact discs were originally designed for music. When you are
listening to "Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits", you are accessing the
data sequentially and at a very regular speed. The only time you need
to seek is when you decide to skip over a song, or back up and listen
to "Always on my Mind" one more time.
In order to fit as much music as possible onto the disc, the data
is recorded at the same linear density near the outer edge of the disc
as it is near the center, so there is more information in the outside
tracks than in the inside tracks. In order to deliver a steady rate
of data, the linear velocity of the disc moving under the head is
constant, so the angular velocity of the disc changes when the head
moves from the center toward the outside tracks. This is no big deal
when you are playing music, but when you are trying to do random access
to a CD-ROM, the need to accelerate and decelerate the disc is the biggest
obstacle to making it faster. Most magnetic discs spin at a constant
angular velocity, so the data density decreases toward the outside of the
disk, but seeks are faster.
A few other reasons that CD-ROMs are slow: Optical disc heads tend to be
heavier than magnetic disk heads, so they have more inertia, and take
longer to stablize onto a new track. Many CD-ROMs contain too much data
to make effective use of RAM caches.
As time goes by, CD-ROM drives will get a little faster, but don't expect
any miracles.
==========================================================================
6. Is it important to have a fast CD-ROM? Does 300ms vs 700ms really matter?
It depends on what applications you will be using. Many CD-ROMs
are just big archives of stuff, and you can copy individual programs
to your hard disk before using them so speed is not really very
important. But if you are going to be using large ramdom-access
databases, or any kind of interactive multi-media applications, then
the speed difference is very noticeable.
==========================================================================
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
controller and want to daisy chain several devices, or if you want to
be able to use the drive on different machine types.
==========================================================================
8. How much does it cost to make a CD-ROM?
You can get a master made for about $1300, and then about $1.50 per
disc for duplication. So to make 1000 discs, it will cost you about
($1300 + (1000 * 1.50)) = $2800. Publishers often have `first-timer'
specials with steep discounts off the list price. For instance, DMI
recently had a special of mastering, 50 discs, and two hours of tech
support for $750.
If you only want a few discs, you can have single `one-offs' made for
about $200 for the first disc, and $100 for additional copies.
==========================================================================
9. Where can I get a CD-ROM published?
I have used both of these companies, and highly recommend either:
Digital Audio Disc Corporation
1800 North Fruitridge Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
812-462-8100, 812-466-9125 FAX
Disc Manufacturing Inc.
4905 Moores Mill Road
Huntsville, AL 35810
800-433-DISC, 205-859-9042, 205-859-9932 FAX
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.
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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.
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29. Are alt.cd-rom archives available anywhere?
Good question. I don't know. If anyone is archiving this group,
please let me know.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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