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Toward a Better Computing Experience | Reviewed by Ann Martin, Treasurer Seniors Computer Group, California December 2009 issue, Bits and Bytes www.scgsd.org / scgsd (at) cox.net |
Finally, there is a solution to printing and then pasting labels onto CDs or DVDs you have created on your computer. And it’s the LightScribe CD/ DVD Burner. Whatever is that you may ask? What it is, in fact, is a CD/DVD burner which has the ability to burn labels directly onto your disks.
Once you have the LightScribe drive installed in your computer and a LightScribe enabled disc you are ready to get started. For this exercise we will use a Verbatim Company 16X DVD-R supplied for testing purposes. They come in 30 Pack spindles and these new disks will allow you to etch labels 30% faster than previous media. These can be found on the internet for as low as $18 a spindle. All the software you will need to get started is available for downloading from the LightScribe web site at: http://www.lightscribe.com, or it may have been included with the purchase of your LightScribe CD/DVD burner. You can also purchase software and I suspect that versions of all disk burning software will eventually include the ability to create LightScribe printed labels.
The easiest way to get started is to go to the LightScribe web site at: http://www.lightscribe.com and look around. Watch the video then download and install some software and you are ready to go. First you must have the LightScribe System Software (LSS) which is similar to a driver. After that you can download the Labeling Application which will get you started in creating simple but effective labels on your disks. There is also a LightScribe Template Labeler available to help you get a bit more creative with your creations. Just download and install the software.
Now you are ready to create and burn labels. Just open the Simple Labeler or the Template Labeler and follow the steps. With the Simpler Labeler you start out by keying in the text you want on the label and selecting the font you want to use. Then you pick a border from the 8 available ones. The final step is to be sure you have your LightScribe drive selected and a LightScribe enabled disk inserted in the drive label side down. In 2 minutes you will have a laser etched disk.
The Template Labeler which comes with a great variety of templates is
slightly more complicated as it also allows you to insert photos or other
graphics into your design. Within 5 minutes I was able to easily design a lovely
label. But, of course, this one would also take longer to print onto my disk.
The media comes in a variety of colors and does cost a bit more than regular discs but considering the savings of not having to purchase labels and using ink and the permanence of the LightScribe media, it can be well worth it. For archival data storage, it is an excellent solution. The etched label does not run if it gets wet and doesn’t peel as stick- on paper labels sometimes do.
Simple labels take about two minutes to burn but more elaborate ones using photos can take considerably longer and this might be a great excuse to go and have a cup of coffee.