OSTA PUBLISHES "CD-RECORDABLE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS," AN OPTICAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGY GUIDE

Optical Storage Technology Association Provides Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About CD-Recordable Hardware and Media

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., August 19, 1996 -- The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA), a trade organization consisting of several industry leading companies, today made available "CD-Recordable Questions & Answers," a new publication that addresses frequently asked questions about CD-R media, hardware and publishing processes. OSTA has distilled its collective expertise on this subject to inform the personal computing industry about a technology that continues to advance at an extraordinary rate.

"CD-Recordable Questions & Answers," edited by industry professional, Matthew Leek, addresses a variety of issues including: definitions of common terminology, economical considerations when using the format, longevity, labeling, capacity, speed, quality of

CD-R hardware and media, and predicted future developments of the technology. Available on the OSTA web site at: www.osta.org, or by contacting the organization directly at 805/963-3853, the publication is part of OSTA's commitment to facilitate expanding acceptance of CD-R technology through improved understanding.

"As new industry segments continue to adopt CD-R for archiving and digital data distribution, the technology evolves to meet their specific needs," said Brian J. Bartholomeusz, chairman, CD-Writable Physical Compatibility Subcommittee. "The publication of 'CD-Recordable Questions and Answers' keeps users informed of this evolution and addresses the most commonly asked questions by everyone from application developers to optical storage novices."

"In 1995, there were more than 200,000 CD recorders sold and more than 17,000,000 pieces of CD-R media consumed," said Ray Freeman, president of Freeman Associates and OSTA facilitator. "Demand will jump to 1.3 million recorders in 1996. With this rapid growth come new economies and new techniques for using CD-R and a growing demand to understand this technology."

The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) was incorporated as an international trade association in 1992 to promote the use of writable optical technologies and products for storage of computer data. The organization's membership, comprising optical product manufacturers from three continents and representing more than 70 percent of worldwide writable optical product shipments, works to shape the future of the industry through regular meetings of CD-Writable, market development, planning and technical committees. Interested companies worldwide are invited to join the organization and participate in its programs by contacting an OSTA representative at 805/963-3853 or by addressing its Web site at http://www.osta.org.

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