TITLE
    CD-ROM: Pre-Press Considerations
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		5166
3/4/90
3/4/90
TOPIC



    What can you tell me about storing text information on CD-ROM in High Sierra
    format and having retrieval engines that will allow access to the data from
    both MS-DOS and Macintosh platforms.

    How does one go about mastering a disc like this? What are the pressing
    criteria? In what format does the data need to be supplied? How does one
    maintain Finder file attributes for applications/files in High Sierra? What
    quirks are there with this process and what information and tools do local
    pressing agents need?

DISCUSSION

    First a note about High Sierra and ISO 9660 CD-ROM formats. High Sierra was
    established first. Initially, the format was presented in a working document.
    Several CD-ROMs were published from this "not quite" final document. These
    CD-ROMs may not be readable by all "High Sierra" drivers.

    Next, International Standards Organization (ISO) used the High Sierra document
    as the basis for their standard ISO 9660 CD-ROM format. Most developers of
    CD-ROMs for multiple platform products now use the ISO 9660 standard. The ISO
    9660 format is supported by the Apple II and Macintosh CD drivers and by MS-DOS
    Extensions Version 2.0 and up. As a result, you may want to use the ISO 9660
    standard.

    For a High Sierra/ISO 9660-type format, a decision must be made about what
    will be placed on the disc. This is especially important when the
    information will be used on a variety of different computer systems. The
    files that will be placed on the CD-ROM should be readable by all types of
    computers that are expected to read the data. The ASCII text file is one
    type of file that is universal to most computer systems.

    Applications may not be the best thing to place on a disc that will be used
    in different computers. Generally, an application that runs on one type of
    computer will not run on another type. However, Meridian Data, Inc. has a
    CD-ROM which contains both Macintosh and MS-DOS applications in a ISO 9660
    format while maintaining Macintosh file integrity. They have apparently
    worked out a method to accomplish this hybrid disc.

    If the information will be read by a search and display application of the
    developer's design, then the type of file to be used can be designed to
    function as needed by the developers. This will require the developer to
    write individual search and display applications for each of the different
    computers using the CD-ROM.

    Different mastering/pressing facilities request differing formats for the
    source materials. For ISO 9660, some facilities require that the source
    material be in ANSI files on a 1/2-inch, 9-track tape with 6250 bytes per inch,
    while others will accept ANSI image, ANSI files, IBM image, unlabeled image
    formats on a .5-inch, 9-track tape. Other formats and media include TK70 image
    or TK70 files on cartridge tape or on an AFA WORM formatted optical disc.
    Thus, to determine what format the data needs to be in, contact your mastering
    facility to find out what format they want for the source material.

    Once the CD-ROM developer has agreed with the mastering/pressing facility on
    the format and medium, the source material is sent to the facility. Often a
    test pressing is provided for the developer to verify that all is correct with
    the transfer from source material to CD-ROM. On approval of the test pressing,
    the facility then presses the requested number of CD-ROM discs.

    To determine when a CD-ROM pressing becomes feasible, compare the cost of
    alternate methods of distribution to the cost of CD-ROM distribution. People
    often consider the breakeven point to be 100 copies at 10-20MB per copy.

    A more sophisticated method involves the use of the premastering facility. A
    premastering facility provides an intermediary service between the developer
    and the mastering/pressing plant. The service can consult with you about
    creating a successfully-designed CD-ROM and properly format all data destined
    for the CD-ROM.

    Mastering and pressing facilities include 3M Optical Recording Department,
    Discovery Systems, and Digital Audio Disc Corporation. For premastering,
    contact Optical Media International and Meridian Data. For more details,
    search the Technical Info library under the appropriate company name.



Document Information
Product Area: Peripherals
Category: CD-ROM
Sub Category: General Topics

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