Recently, there were reports (example, from the Register) that recorded CDs had been found to be degraded, sometimes to the point that they were no longer useable, after only a year or two. When CDs were first used for archiving computer data, the assumption was that they would last for decades if not indefinitely. For long-term archiving of important company information, this is a big deal indeed.
No doubt the biggest problem is the common tendency to use cheap-ass CDs. A spindle of 100 recordable CDs purchased at OfficeMax for $12.00, with a $10 rebate, is no bargain.
Again, we had news reports and online discussion about a problem, but no one offered a solution. Never fear. I ventured into territory where the inhabitants know these issues -- the forums at Steve Hoffman's audiophile site -- and asked around. Here is what I learned.
A good high-quality CD is manufactured by Taiyo Yuden, and can be purchased online at AllMedia ($8.25 per pack of 25) or at CDR Outlet ($30 per 100 spindle). The gold standard, as it were, for highest-quality recordable CDs is the Mitsui Gold, which is available at CDR Outlet for $81 per 100 spindle or directly from Synthemedia for varying prices.
Now you are armed with the information necessary to safeguard your data (or your treasured NRBQ MP3s) for years to come.
6:46:58 AM 
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