Burning CDs and DVDs

Although it can be argued that optical media is slowly dying out (quite a few computers are sold without optical drives nowadays), burning media is still an important task for a lot of people. Burning CDs and DVDs is useful for creating Linux distribution media, bootable rescue discs, and short term backups.

Note

If you are considering burning DVDs or CDs to back up your important files and documents, don't. Burnable CDs and DVDs are not a reliable method of backing up important data. Unlike factory-pressed media (such as movie DVDs and computer software discs), burnable media is unreliable, and the data actually starts to fade in a short period of time. There isn't an exact estimate of how long burnable media lasts, but some argue that they can start to fade in as little as 17 months. However, your author has had some cease functioning sooner than that and some much later. Burnable media should be used only for short term projects.

The Brasero disc burning utility is included...