eric@mcrware.UUCP (Eric Miller) (06/19/91)
In article <13525@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> careyk@uhunix1.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Carey Kinoshita) writes: >I was wondering if there is an industry standard format >for WORM (Write Once Read Many) drives. Or is there a >dominant format which most vendors use? The document which describes Magneto-Optical and Write Once Discs is called the Orange Book. The O.B. is split into the distinct sections; one for MO and one for WO. I have heard of relatively little in the way of cross- compatibility between the systems. One important element that the Orange Book does not address, however, is the issue of File Systems on the discs. There is currently an experts group which is trying to define an ISO standard for a WO File System. The output of this effort will really define compatibility for WO systems. When you look at WO drives, consider also the question of whether you will write the entire disc in one session, or whether you need the ability to update files periodically. If you will write the disc in one session, then you can take advantage of current CD-ROM / CD-I file systems. If you need to have incremental updates, you need a more advanced file system like that being designed now. The only WORM drive that I have had direct experience with is the Yamaha PDS system. We use it to make CDDA / CD-ROM / CD-I discs in one-session writes. It has been very reliable. If you need more information on the Orange Book, File Systems or Yamaha PDS Systems, please contact me directly. Eric Miller Manager, New Media Systems Microware Systems Corp. Des Moines, IA 50325 515-224-1929 uucp!mcrware!eric