Using Blank Media

[Luddite]

Hope this isn't too dumb of a question, but I want to work on files on CDs or DVDs 'on-the-fly' and continuously update them, just like a floppy. I want to be able to transfer files to and from the CDs or DVDs and my computer. I want to delete, add, copy, save, resave and rewrite files.

Which types of disk media do I need? -RW or +RW ?

Do I need to format these?

Do I need to have special software? Is there anything native in Windows 7 that will allow me to use CDs or DVDs like a floppy?

Thanks in advance.

*I am currently using XP Home

 

[Ken g6]

The closest thing I know of to what you want is DVD-RAM. But I've never seen DVD-RAM media, and I'm not sure most drives handle it.

The next best technology seems to be packet writing for rewritable (RW) DVDs and CDs. Again, I haven't used it.

What I have used is multisession writing on a CD-RW. Windows XP makes it so it looks like you can edit a file on a rewritable CD, though what it's actually doing is writing your changes to the hard drive. Then when you're done, you can write the changes to the CD. I'm not sure you can delete files, but you can "overwrite" them; though the old versions take up space. There may also be a limit to the number of sessions you can write (99 maybe?); but with a CD-RW you can copy everything to the hard drive, erase the disc, and copy everything back over as a new first session.

 

[0roo0roo]

why?, its impractical.
flash drives are cheap, capacity is beyond dvdr easily, and much easier to deal wtih. don't burn to optical until things are finalized. stuff can go wrong ..its just not worth the hassle.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
why?, its impractical.
flash drives are cheap, capacity is beyond dvdr easily, and much easier to deal wtih. don't burn to optical until things are finalized. stuff can go wrong ..its just not worth the hassle.

I agree with this. The best scheme for opticals is to use a cd, and keep adding files to it. When it gets full you throw it out. That's pretty wasteful imo, and a thumb drive is the way to go. If you keep your eyes open, you should be able to get a 8gb drive for under $10.

 

[egale]

Nero's InCD is a packet writing software that allows you to use a rewriteable CD as a floppy. Problem is that it is super unreliable from what I have found. Years ago I tried using it but found the CDs I created were not readable a few months later on my machine or any machine for that manner. I stopped using it and don't recommend it.

 

[corkyg]

Packet CD writing does this to some extent, but it is slow and clumsy. Use flash media - works exactly like using a floppy ony bigger and faster.

 

[Luddite]

So, it sounds like CDs and DVDs are not the way to go. Is this because the packet writing software hasn't been perfected yet?

With flashdrives then, can you, say, open documents and work on them, save them, and then overwrite them later? Can you delete files to make room for other files? Everything just like a floppy?

I've only used flashdrives to transport files, and never really fiddled with them enough to know what else they are capable of. Is it the same storage technology that SSDs use?

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Luddite
So, it sounds like CDs and DVDs are not the way to go. Is this because the packet writing software hasn't been perfected yet?

With flashdrives then, can you, say, open documents and work on them, save them, and then overwrite them later? Can you delete files to make room for other files? Everything just like a floppy?

I've only used flashdrives to transport files, and never really fiddled with them enough to know what else they are capable of. Is it the same storage technology that SSDs use?

Well your handle is certainly appropriate.

Yes, with the flash drive plugged into the system, you can use it just like a hard drive, read/write files on it, overwrite them, delete them, all kinds of stuff. For like $20-30 you can get an 8-16GB flashdrive.

To a certain degree, yes, they are using the same technology as SSDs, flash memory. However that which is used in SSDs is, I believe, generally faster than what is used in flashdrives, as well as a little more robust as well.

 

[0roo0roo]

its not that packet writing hasn't been perfected, it was never going to be good.
it was slapped on as a feature, just not something optical drives are good at.

 

[corkyg]

And, disk burning is dog slow compared to flash media file writing. Packet writing is a poor compromise, and needs no further development. I can't even remember using it.