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.

You could of course create a data page with all that information on and include it on the CD. A few years ago (Win 3.1 days) I created such a CD and distributed to family members. I made folders with each family group and included a data sheet in each folder. As these are older photos I assume you will be scanning them? Practice a bit before going ahead full steam and be sure to create an image at least one megabyte in size or larger in case anyone may want to print any in the future.

We have several cd case "binders" that are the soft plastic pouch but they are lined with a soft felt type material to keep them from scratching and sticking. We store all of our DVDs in them and toss the original cases- it saved us so much space. It's unbelievable how much space the cases take up and organizing them in the dvd binder is so much easier.

Hi Bud, Glad that your frugal heart was gladdened by your discovery. If you want to store some things that're small and shorter than a milk carton, rinse one carefully, pull the top corners apart, cut down each corner of what made part of the "roof" to what was the top of the column, then holding the carton horizontally, rotate it until the place where the paper joins is at the top of one vertical wall. Cut off the part that used to make the roof that is now at the top, then cut down the middle of the side that's on top, so that the join of the carton is at the top of one side. Cut down to not far from the bottom, then cut at about 45 degree angle to each corner. Fold down the cut sides into the carton and staple, stapling the triangle piece at the end, as well. Looking at the three remaining pieces that made the roof of the carton in the first place, fold them one over the other and staple, to make a flat end of the box. The box will be too short to hold letters, but if you cut off the whole of what made the roof of two cartons, cutting down one side as indicated above, leaving the join at the top of one wall, you can slide them together leaving just the right space to hold letters. A real handy place to drop in bills that need to be paid as they arrive, writing the cutoff date and amount on the envelope, if desired. But give yourself a few days of grace for Credit Card bills, Power bill, phone, etc., in order to avoid fees for paying late. My credit card is issued by the bank where I have an account, so I can pay my bill there, on the due date, without incurring penalty. Plus, since I'm a senior, the bank doesn't charge me for paying bills from my account. I find that, after the first of the year, information letters relating to income that needs to go with my income tax return, receipts for charitable gifts, etc. can be dropped into one of them quite handily, as well. Use a piece of unmarked cardboard slightly higher than the envelopes to label the various cartons with Magic marker - "Bills to be Paid", "Income Tax Info", "Mail to be Answered", etc. You may find that the one-litre cartons are a bit more inclined to tipple than the two-litre ones - they seem to get more tipsy than the larger kind. Or - is that "tippy"? Have yourself a great late-fall weekend. There are Santa Claus Parades in local towns most every weekend, now. Son and his friend are blowing ballon animals, hats, etc. for kids at two or three today - I'm about 50 miles from home, now, in Kitchener-Waterloo. ole joyful