--------exploding CDs
 
 MMC> I use junked CDs as 'support washers' for mesh screening in
 MMC> various projects, and am amazed at how fast they age in weather
 MMC> and sunlight.  First, in only a few weeks, the paint and coatings
 MMC> disintegrate and peel away, then minute striations begin to appear
 MMC> within the plastic itself.  Within six months, there is no
 MMC> semblance of flexibity at all, and anything more than a medium
 MMC> 'touch' will shatter them.
 
 MMC> My use of those CDs has no bearing on their intended use, but has
 MMC> provided me with a glimpse of 'grossly accelerated aging'.  I
 MMC> would guess that many eight to ten year old CDs have had at least
 MMC> some exposure to sunlight, humidity, rough handling, spilled
 MMC> beverages, etc., and any in that age range probably should NOT be
 MMC> used in modern high speed drives.
 
> I never thought about that aspect of it, these
> things were sold with the impression that they
> didn't wear out like vinyl did. Hmm. I wonder how
> much of what I have on hand here is that old?
> Probably not much, as I came to these things
> rather late, and the first drives available when I
> got mine were 4x...
 
  My thought exactly. You mean after all that
 trouble assembling what I've been thinking of as
 my final and permanent jazz collection, it's gonna
 spring a spider's web of cracks and then crumble
 to dust? Sheesh.
 
> Maybe I oughta snag a few of the "older" drives
> that are out there as I don't really see a need
> for these newer, higher speeds.
 
 

--- Maximus/2 3.01