Toopid WinXP (and CD-burner hegemony)

Found out at work today that if you have Windows XP and you use the built-in CD-writing software to ''format'' your CD-RW (because your existing files aren't deleting properly), your 700MB CD-RW magically gets shrunk to a 567MB capacity.

That's... just... 'toopid!!!

I mean, what's the point of all that?


Gonna have to restore them at home, on my machine.


--GG

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UPDATE, 4/21/06 --

Turns out it's my CD-burner at home, as well. Noticed that the default setting was ''format at CD-MRW''. Googled it, and discovered that it's a new CD-RW format that uses a new ''UDF'' file system. It improves write speeds, cross-computer compatibility, and the life of your CD-RW -- but at the expense of storage space and the ability to use the CD-RW on slightly older CD-ROM drives. See http://www.softarch.com/us/press/prread-cdrw.html

Put differently, it's a new CD-MRW (''Mt. Rainier'') format -- http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/75/4

A 700MB CD-RW disc will have 540Mb of useable data in the CD-MRW format. A 650MB CD-RW disc will have 504Mb of useable data in the CD-MRW format.

Hm -- somewhat increased life of the media and cross-platform compatibility, at the expense of losing about a quarter of the capacity (22-23%) and not being able to use the CD on older computers. And not informing me of this option? Hmmm... No thanks.

Neither the Nero CD-burning software at home, nor the built-in WinXP software asked or informed me about this change. Nero gives a check-box under the ''setttings'' tab, but it doesn't give any explanation as to the implications (and the default is for the CD-MRW box to be checked).


BAD ANALOGY: You take your car in for a tune-up. When you get it back home, you discover that the gas mileage is about 3/4 of what you remember. You ask your mechanic, who says ''Oh, yeah -- I made some modifications -- it's the new standard. But now you can use unleaded or diesel, if you want.''


--GG