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ins. The CD-MO standard is defined in Part I of the Or-
ange Book, but the technology never took off and has
been replaced with CD-ReWritable (CD-RW).
CD-R This is a relatively new outgrowth of CD-ROM
technology, whereby data can be easily recorded to a
writable CD by a laser instead of being manufactured.
This technology has found many uses with those who
need to create limited numbers of discs for distribu-
tion. The technology is “Write Once”, Once the data is
recorded it’s permanent. CD-R discs, once recorded,
are compatible with all CD players and CD-ROM
drives. CD-R discs can hold up to 650Mb of user data,
or up to 74 minutes of digital audio, just like regular
stamped discs. See Gold Disc.
CD-ROM Acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only
Memory. CD-ROM drives can only read the informa-
tion contained on a CD - they cannot write information
to it. The discs are created by pressing them from a
stamper containing a mirror image of the disc. Their
cost per a unit is low, and they are commonly used for
the mass distribution of software and publishing of in-
formation. CD-ROM Drive A peripheral device at-
tached to a computer that allows it to read/play a CD
disc. All CD-ROM players can also play back audio
CD’s but require external head-phones or speakers to
hear them. Some can be attached to amplifiers to func-
tion like normal audio CD players.
CD-ROM/XA “XA” stands for Extended Architec-
ture. CD-ROM/XA is an extension of the Yellow Book
standard, generally consistent with the ISO 9660 logi-
cal format but designed to add better audio and video
capabilities (taken from the CD-I standard) so that CD-
ROM can more easily be used for multimedia applica-
tions.
CD-RW Compact Disc ReWritable, a relatively new
addition to the recordable CD arena. CD-RW discs are
Glossary
