RE: FW: Technical and slightly off topic

**"SheriAnnRicherson" S*@exoticgardening.com**

Nan and all,
 Here are the replies to the questions:

>I am tying to figure out the different configurations and the 
>terminology i.e. DVD-R R/W vs DVD, DVDR, DVD+R R/W, etc.

DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc.. it is essentially a high density
CD capable of storing enormous amounts of information

When DVDs first started there was only one format available which was a
read-only format. Sometimes referred to as a DVD-ROM

Later a writable format DVD-RAM was made (but it sucked...) These discs
were incased in a protective covering (which was nice), however, the
discs could not be used on anything else but another DVD-RAM drive.

Other writable formats were created (DVD-R and DVD+R) which didn't
require the protective case.  But these formats were not compatible with
each other. 

Since there are rewritable CDs the next step was to create rewritable
DVDs
Which also came in 2 formats (DVD-R/W and DVD+R/W). And these were also
not compatible with each other

Most of these differences are moot now since several companies are
making
Drives that will do both formats. (the "minus" and "plus" formats)

> Reputable brands would be helpful.

I believe HP and Sony are making drives that are able to write and
rewrite and have both the "minus" and "plus" formats

>I also need to understand the software issues, esp as they relate to 
>my system (which is a Mac system).

Most drives when purchased retail are packaged with all of the necessary
software to fully use it.  However, since you have a Mac, you might have
to purchase the software separately.  (well, I suppose the Mac store
will have hardware that is packaged with Mac software)

Do you have any expertise in this area?

Jerry has an honors degree from Rose-Hulman Institute. He has a
Batchelor of Science in Computer Science and he is the one who has
answered the questions.

Sheri

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