MS Securtiy package: http://urlsnip.com/176720

Control E-mail spam http://www.spamfighter.com/

It installs as the Pro version and after a month defaults over to the free version if you do not pay for it. 
It communicates with the company server for rules rather than using a database on your own computer
and I think this is its main strength.  I am very impressed with this program and have been recommending
it to all my co-workers and my customers. I have experimented/tested several programs in the past and this
is the Best by far.  I have been using it for a week now and nothing has gotten through. They do
recommend that you watch the spamfighter folder for a month to make sure that it doesn't delete good mail.
I have only had this happen twice so far.

TAKING CARE OF CDs & DVDs

For this discussion CDs and DVDs re care (same physical size)

Review of how CD works: http://urlsnip.com/101808

Components:

Molded Clear polycarbonate substrate

Reflective metal layer

Very small depressions (pits) and flat regions (lands) arranged in a spiral track (groove) that winds from
 the disc's inner hole to its outer edge.

Why burner light and heat from laser used to make them

When a CD is burned, a laser shoots through the bottom of the disc into the dye layer located under the top
 protective plastic covering on at the top of the CD. This is the layer where the laser burns pits into the dye
layer to allow the computer to interpret what is being written by the computer. When the bottom side of the
disc becomes scratched or soiled, the laser is diffused and the data is not clearly written.

Areas of vulnerability

            Acrylic plastic

            Reflective metallic layer

            Label surface (on top when inserted into drive) usually safe area

            Under surface subject to scratches, finger prints & smears

CD typically can contain about 750 MB of data

Single-layer DVD discs can contain up to 4.7 GB of data; duel layer twice as much i.e. 8.5 GB

Nomenclature (confusing):

CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW (DVD burners can make CD-Rs and CD-RWs.)

DVD-R, DVD-RW used first in late 1990s

DVD+R, DVD+RW adopted in 2001

(Above usually incompatible; recent optical drives can handle both)

DVD-RAM older and not used much

DVD-ROM--Plays DVDs only to play not burn

E.G. 48x/24x for CDs; 12x/10x for DVD discs = higher x is better

            x refers to a multiplication of a base number

            1x for DVD = 1.385 megabytes/ sec.

            1x for CD = 150 kilobytes/ sec.

(Two new standards i.e. Blu-ray and HD-DVD incompatible with each other)

R = recordable and can be burned only once.

RW= re-writable and can be burned up to 1000 times

RAM= also re-writable and reportedly can be burned up to 100,000 times

The RWs are less reliable. Layer altered with each burn. Also less reliable to use on another PC.

Usual process: copy pictures, etc to CD or DVD from HD

Big question: how long will the data, etc be there

For saving data:

In the past floppies, Zip discs, tape, etc; probably CD will be pass in ten yrs. or so.

            External drive will be the choice e.g. USB HDs & jump drives, flash card burners, etc  
            At present, I still use removable HD

What is status of CD or DVD for backup

            Manufacturers: 20-100 yrs

            May deteriorate after a year or so; re-burn every year or so

Depends on how you handle them

Deterioration & Rot Prevention

            Use name brands e.g. Imation, Kodak, Maxell, TDK, etc 

Top layer becomes damaged with moisture penetrating thus causing it to disintegrate slowly.

            Hastened by incorrect releasing of CD from case. You should press down on the inside of the retaining plastic.

Always pick up or carry CD by outer edge to avoid acid penetration of protective layer

            Store vertically in cool, dry environment to prevent warping, etc.

            Never use solvent based pen for writing on them unless using clear center portion

            Some feel that you should not apply labels; if you do beware of tip of pen damage.

            One source recommends removable labels e.g. www.digitalinnovations.com

            Proper cleaning with CD or DVD with a lens cloth; wipe away from center; Isopropyl alcohol
             or clear soapy H2O (if dirty); never use acetone, anti-static agents or wood based material e.g. toilet tissue or facial tissue

            Never wipe with circular motion

If you use labels, use a good label applicator

            Keep away from strong magnetic area, extreme temperature (50F 122F) and humidity

Some feel that the CD-R will fare better over long run than DVD+/-R (use a modified from of
            stabilized cyanine dye for recording layer which is less predictable)

            Clean your optical drive periodically e.g. CD Lens cleaner

            Avoid touching the readable surface of disk

            Never place the readable surface of the disk face down

            Best to store disks in clean cases