Medical, scientific, and remote-sensing imaging applications often demand very large amounts of memory-storage capacity. To meet this need, optical-storage-system vendors are increasing the data storage and speed of CD-ROM, rewritable optical, WORM, and CD-R products. By incorporating these products within optical jukeboxes and autochangers, vendors can provide systems integrators with cost-effective ways to store massive amounts of image data. This month, we look at the latest developments in optical technology, storage systems, and system interfaces.
REWRITABLE OPTICALS
www.osta.org/
The Optical Storage Association (Santa Barbara, CA) is an international trade association dedicated to promoting the use of writeable optical technology. On its Web site, there are hotlinks to the association's 50 members and associate members and technical FAQs. Technology roadmaps, white papers, published articles, and technical specifications are also detailed.
BURNING DVDs
www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,105848,pg,1,00.asp
The December PC World contains an informative article by Jon Jacobi entitled "DVD Burners Hit Prime Time," in which Jacobi and his colleagues discuss the competing formats of DVD-RW, DVD-RAM (from the DVD Forum), and DVD+RW (from the DVD+RW Alliance). Speeds of both internal and external drives are compared as well as the software used for data mastering. The author's pick: Sony's DRU-500A, the first drive to support both -RW and +RW formats, and fast-formatting of -RW disks.
DVD FORUM
www.dvdforum.org
The Web site of the DVD Forum (Tokyo, Japan), which runs only with Microsoft Explorer, contains useful information on DVD research, development, manufacturing, and associated software. Here, too, you'll find on-line newsletters, associated conferences, and manufacturers' information.
OPTICAL NEWS
www.itworld.com/Comp/3786/
Accela Communications' ITWorld contains the latest news on a host of optical technologies, products, and applications. On the company's site, there are links to topics on CD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, and rewritable drives, as well as links to subjects such as computers, peripherals, and related storage devices.
TECHNICAL DATA
citeseer.nj.nec.com/cs
If you are looking for the latest technical papers on optical memory, try using CiteSeer, the Scientific Literature Digital Library from NEC Research Institute (Princeton, NJ). The system, which is similar to Google, uses a search engine to access thousands of sites and technical documents owned or operated by NEC and other independent companies.
LOOK FOR STORAGE
www.storagesearch.com/
Applied Computer Science Ltd. (ACSL; Baughurst, Tadley, UK) publishes an on-line magazine called Storage Search that contains industry news, lists of storage manufacturers, available backup software information, and optical jukebox data. The site also contains a wealth of related information including interface adapters, technology listings by manufacturers, and market-research information.
BUY ON-LINE
www.networkbuyersguide.com/
The Network Buyer's Guide Web site provides information on the computer-storage and networking industry and features a searchable database of products, links to vendor websites, a library of white papers, press releases, and on-line product presentations.
