CDs are used for storage but executable files can be ran from them - all you programs are loaded via the CD/DVD. Yes, all files burned to CD become read only and if you copy any back to your hard drive you will need to change the name if you intend to modify the file. I know nothing about re-writable CDs but I would suggest you erase everything when wiping it. Do not apologise for asking seemingly basic questions, asking is learning.

First, is your CD player able to play MP3s? If not, you need to be sure you are burning audio CDs rather than data CDs full of MP3 files. And in that case, I prefer ripping my vinyl to WAV files to avoid the loss of data the compression in MP3s does. Plus, I've been copying vinyl to CDs since I did it on an old Win98 machine that had trouble converting MP3s at all, much less on the fly. Second, I would avoid multisession burning and rip all the tracks you want for your compilation before starting to burn your CD. I am not clear if you are using Nero to burn the CDs. If so, when you are starting, select "Audio CD" as your project type. Add all the tracks you want to the layout, then burn in one session, letting Nero close the CD at the end. See if that works and if the CD plays in regular players. Anne

You should use CD-R CD's, since they are cheaper. Just let the iTunes application burn the CD for you. Does your eMac have a CD burner? If it does, first create a "Playlist" in iTunes, and name the Playlist as you wish. Drag the songs that you want, into the new Playlist folder. The songs will be either in the "Music" folder in iTunes, or in the "Purchased Music" folder in iTunes. You may want to drag the songs from the Music folder and leave the Purchased Music folder alone. Once you have dragged about 18 songs to the new Playlist, make sure each one has a check-mark on the box next to each song. To check-mark all the songs in the Playlist at once, press and hold the "Apple" key, and with the mouse pointer "click" on the first box. Now all the songs should be selected. The next step is to click on the iTunes "Burn CD" box (just follow the dialog after you have clicked in the Burn CD option). This CD should play on most CD players.

I am astonished that people continue to use peer to peer illegal downloading services. Hasn't anyone been keeping up with the fines and prosecutions over this? This from the UK dated February 2008: "People who illegally download films and music will be cut off from the internet under new legislative proposals to be unveiled next week. Internet service providers (ISPs) will be legally required to take action against users who access pirated material, The Times has learnt. Users suspected of wrongly downloading films or music will receive a warning e-mail for the first offence, a suspension for the second infringement and the termination of their internet contract if caught a third time, under the most likely option to emerge from discussions about the new law. Broadband companies who fail to enforce the "three-strikes" regime would be prosecuted and suspected customers details could be made available to the courts. The Government has yet to decide if information on offenders should be shared between ISPs. " http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article3353387.ece "Defendant owes $222,000 for illegal downloading The federal jury in Duluth just came back with its verdict in Capitol Records v. Jammie Thomas, the file-sharing trial I just wrote about below. Thomas was found liable for infringing upon music copyrights by downloading songs from Kazaa. According to Ars Technica's excellent Eric Bangeman at the scene, the jury awarded the plaintiff $9,250 per song. For getting 24 songs, Thomas must pay $222,000, the panel determined. The music industry had shown that Thomas' computer -- her IP address -- was linked to many downloads. Her username on Kazaa was Terrastar, the same name she used for getting into her computer, for her e-mail, for online shopping sites, and for her profile on Match.com. " http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/10/04/file_sharing_verdict/index.html Not a good idea.