To write a software or document distribution on a CDR. Coined from
the fact that a laser is used to inscribe the information by burning
small pits in the medium, and from the fact that disk comes out of
the drive warm to the touch. Writable CDs can be done on a normal
desk-top machine with a suitable drive (so there is no protracted
release cycle associated with making them) but each one takes a long
time to make, so they are not appropriate for volume production.
Writable CDs are suitable for software backups and for
short-turnaround-time low-volume software distribution, such as
sending a beta release version to a few selected field test sites.
Compare {cut a tape}.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {cut a tape}]