I would like to share with you an interesting e-mail that was sent to me. It read as follows:
“Recently my daughter asked me to stop by the local computer store and pick up some cd’s for her computer. When I arrived, I was greeted by a very helpful salesperson and explained to him what I was looking for. First, he asked if I wanted CDs or DVDs. When I told him CDs, he then asked if I wanted R or RW, and followed up with still another question, “Do you want Plus or Minus?” At this point, I wished I had given my daughter the use of my car and let her get the items herself.”

Does this story sound familiar to you? Many people are in a quandary concerning what to buy when it comes to computer storage media and the types that are available. Perhaps I can shed some light on this subject for you.

Probably the most popular add-on to any computer system is a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
These are the devices in (or added on) to your computer that allow you to play video’s, music, or copy your files to (or from). The device is accessed usually by pressing a button on the front of the device that causes a tray to eject forward. It is said that many people who were not aware of this tray’s purpose, used it as a coffee cup holder.

In fact, this tray’s purpose is the entry point for your CD or DVD. By placing your media into the tray and then closing it, the computer will be able to use the media for whatever purpose it was designed.

Playing music (audio) or movies (video) is not too difficult. Just put the media in the tray, close it, and whatever is on the media begins to play automatically. However, this device is capable of allowing you to store your files for backup purposes, or retrieve your files for use when needed. In order for you to do this you will need blank CDs or DVDs, which returns us to the point of this article.

CD stands for Compact Disc, and DVD represents Digital Video Disk. When the discs were first designed and manufactured, the technology used to create them was the best for the time period, but after a few years, this same technology was enhanced and refined. To differentiate between the old technology and the new, the designation of (-) Minus for the old and (+) Plus for the new was used. Depending on the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM device that you are using may depend on which of the media types (Plus or Minus) you need to buy. Older equipment may not be able to use the Plus disks, and although most equipment is downward compatible, there are cases where even newer equipment may have trouble with the older discs.

The “R” designation indicates that you can “write” to the discs only once and the “RW” types can be erased and written over again and again.

Finally, DVD discs can hold about 6 1/2 times more than the CDs can. So if you are storing many files or files that are very large in size the DVD is your better choice.

If your device is capable of copying your files to disc (a process called “burning”) and it is a CD device, you can only use CD media. However, if you have a DVD device capable of burning, then you can use either type for your file copy operations.

Now with all of that said, there are new products being released on a constant basis that increase quality and storage capacity, such as Double Layer and Blue Ray discs. Just when we think we have the terminology down to at least a basic understanding, another product is released and we have to start the learning process over again.

Bud Sparks is the principal operator of Diamond Spring Technical Services.  His certifications in computer science range from Senior Systems Engineer to Microsoft Certified Instructor.  Additionally, as an adjunct professor, he teaches advanced Microsoft courses at Mercer County Community College.

For your computer questions or concerns email bsparks@dispritech.com.