| When was the last time you spent a weekend taping | | | | software, and other disc-based applications. They're |
| music? Music for a special occasion or maybe just a | | | | the perfect solution for anyone sharing application CDs |
| little something to help you through the daily grind of | | | | with members of the family or transporting discs from |
| your commute? | | | | place to place. |
| Chances are you haven't done this in a while -- maybe | | | | You'll need a "CD emulator" to convert an application |
| not since the turn of the century -- because long ago | | | | disc into a virtual CD, or a file that you store on a |
| you switched to MP3s. | | | | laptop computer or a USB device and play just like a |
| With their play lists, search functions, and high-quality | | | | physical CD. There's no need to load the physical disc |
| portable music, MP3 players are such a superior | | | | -- simply click on desktop icon to launch a favorite |
| technology, that few of us wax nostalgic for the days | | | | application. If you're so inclined, you can have several |
| of muffled audio tapes, which offered limited play time, | | | | virtual CDs running simultaneously. It seems like a silly |
| took up physical space, and wore out quickly. | | | | notion, but gamers in particular like to keep multiple titles |
| For the mobile music lover, times have never been | | | | loaded so they can hot swap between virtual CDs. |
| better. But video gamers and parents of small children, | | | | Although it emulates, or "acts like" a physical CD, a |
| still dealing with physical CDs and DVDs for games | | | | virtual CD operates directly on the hard drive, |
| and disc-based applications, may struggle to manage -- | | | | improving playback times by up to 200% and |
| and protect -- the ever-expanding disc collections they | | | | eliminating wear and tear on the CD-ROM drive. It can |
| share with others. | | | | be shared over a network, customized to contain |
| Often, shared discs are treated badly. Left out their | | | | multi-disc sets and expansion packs, and organized |
| cases and exposed to kids and pets, game discs are | | | | with other virtual CDs in a searchable library with a |
| soon turned into expensive coasters, damaged | | | | Windows Explorer-like directory tree. |
| beyond any real usefulness. Traveling with disc | | | | CHOOSING THE RIGHT CD EMULATOR |
| collections can create all kinds of logistical horrors -- for | | | | Most commercial CD emulators cost between $30 |
| instance, volume 4 of an educational set may simply | | | | and $60 -- a bargain compared to many game titles, |
| disappear when the family goes on vacation. | | | | and well worth the price of admission if you're able to |
| MP3-LIKE CONVENIENCE FOR DISC-BASED | | | | spare just a few of your discs from abuse. But while |
| APPLICATIONS | | | | nearly all CD emulators have certain basic features in |
| Virtual CDs bring MP3-like ease use and portability to | | | | common, not all offer the same usability and disc |
| video games, CD-ROM clip art collections, educational | | | | support. |