What is CD-RW?
[[Image:CD-RW bottom.jpg|thumb|right|A partly recorded CD-RW. The darker part of the disk (underside) holds the data]] A '''CD-RW''' (which stands for '''Compact Disc ReWritable''') is a [[Compact disc]] that can be recorded and erased multiple times. It can hold [[Information|data]] or [[music]]. Most of the time it will hold data, since many [[CD player]]s can not play CD-RWs. During its development, the format was known as '''CD-E''', which stands for '''Compact Disc Erasable'''. The standard was introduced in [[1997]]. It replaced the less successful [[CD-MO]]. The disk used for this is an [[optical disc]]. [[Phase change]] technology is used to write to the disk. A [[laser]] beam is used to heat a certain point of the disk. Once this point is hot, the information stored there can be changed. According to what the manufacturers of these disks say, it is possible to record and erase such a disk up to 1000 times. They behave very much like [[CD-R]]s, otherwise. Entire sessions can be written. As long as there is space on the disc, new sessions can be appended. To be readable in an ordinary CD drive, all sessions must be closed though. CD-RWs never gained the popularity of CD-Rs. This is because they are more expensive to make and to buy. Also, not all CD drives can read them. Reading and writing speeds are also lower than those of pre-made CDs and CD-Rs. Also, like with the CD-R, it is impractical (and slow) to use these disks to quickly add or remove small files. Other formats, like [[Zip drive|Zip disk]], [[Jaz drive|Jaz disk]], [[Magneto-optical drive|Magneto-optical disk]]s, and [[USB flash drive]]s are More used for quickly reading, writing, or erasing small (sets of) files. When a deletion needs to be made, the whole CD needs to be erased. CD-RWs (like CD-Rs) are more used for [[backup]]s. They are usually cheaper than [[tape backup|tape]]-based solutions. Depending on the method used to write, and the type of disk used, usable capacities range from about 500 to 700 [[megabyte]]s. Pretty much the