Hi Joe! :-)

 JB>>     "label side"
 JB>> ---------------------  thin plastic
 JB>> ********************** data layer
 JB>> ---------------------
 JB>> |                     |
 JB>> |                     | thick plastic
 JB>> |                     |
 JB>> |                     |
 JB>> -----------------------
 JB>>       "data side"


 JN>  You're saying there is data on both sides of a CD?
Nope. The data layer is what carries the data. The "data side" in
above diagram is the side from which the laser beam reads the medium. The
diagram is correct - on the data side, there is rather thick transparent
layer above the data layer. On the label side, there isn't much.

Rationale (I think) is that the data side rests inside the CD-ROM drive's
tray - and if the drive doesn't spin down the disc properly before
releasing it (which can happen), the disc can still spin when it gets in
contact with the tray again. Thus some protection is needed.

Ciao
Pascal

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