The problem is probably marginal media, a wonky burner,
handling, storage conditions or labeling:
1) It's almost impossible to tell the "good" media from the "bad"
these days without a several thousand dollar error analyzer (best
if it also has an RF analog output). In most cases cost of the
media is not an indicator of quality. Quality can very within a
single batch.
2) Obviously, if the disc is failing somewhere down the road from
the burn, it's probably not the burner - but not always. But again,
specialized test equipment is required. These days, it is a fallacy
that you will get a better burn at a lower speed - you might or you
might not. Burn disc-at-once (DAO), if possible. I highly
recommend Plextor drives.
3) Handing: here's one you can do something about. Avoid
handling the "read" side, though the other side is actually the
most mechanically fragile of the two. Use the the hole and the
edges. Any CD or DVD should always be "in" or on its way to
being "in" something (case, sleeve, tray, caddy). Avoid slot
loaders (not always possible).
4) Storage: extended UV exposure will kill a CD-R. Avoid soft
plastic sleeves and cases (clamshells). Gases from these will
damage the top side of any CD/DVD over time. They have other
problems, too. The verdict is still out on the sort of "in between
hard and soft" DVD boxes, I avoid them for CD-R or DVD-R. Use
Tyvek or acid-free paper sleeves or any of a number of "real"
hard plastic Jewel boxes.
5) Never∗ use anything but a water soluble marker to write on a
CD, a Sanford Sharpie will absolutely cause the disc to fail
somewhere down the road. I use them when I want something
to "time bomb." You are writing on three micro thin layers of stuff,
the bottom one is your data. Paper "stomper" labels have
problems in CD-ROM drives and slot loaders for obvious
reasons. Inkjet, thermal print and silkscreen are good if done
properly.
∗ Sharpie on the clear inner ring seems to be okay - not much
room to write anything, though (date, project #, etc.)
I will analyze CDs for MOTM ;-)
Barry
--- In motm@y..., "mmarsh100" <mmarsh@s...> wrote:
> Hello All -
>
> For the veritable ∗mountain∗ of folks that ordered my CD, I've
run
> into some troble with the CDW's longevitiy. I haven't treated
them
> at all well, but 1 year and then skips is a problem.
>
> If you have my CD and actually want to listen to it in future,
please
> take abnormal care with it! If it's already trashed, then send me
3
> bucks (for postage) via PayPal and I'll send you a new one. If it
> gets trashed in future, the deal still holds.
>
> One day when I'm rich and famous, I'll have it pressed...
>
> Mike, currently working on "Son of Absolute Truth"