‘Pompous’ to say CDS are out of date

I rarely write to magazines, but felt I must respond to Jamie Smith’s pompous letter in Issue 560 (‘CDS should be consigned to the dustbin of history’). That CDS are a 40-year-old technology is no reason for them to be sent “to the dustbin of history”.

I’m sure any historian worth his or her salt would be offended by that epithet. The wheel is still popular after 3,000 years. Fortunately, there is no law banning us from using older technology. I still wear shirts with buttons.

Every week I burn CDS for folk in our church who are unable to attend. Some of them are of a generation who do not and never will use a computer. It’s not compulsory, you know. Others use a laptop for little more than email.

I have a collection of 500-odd music CDS, most of which I have spent time digitising in case the disc gets damaged. Why spend money downloading what I have already paid for? Usually the sound quality from a CD is superior to an MP3, especially when playing it in church. Incidentally, my experience of Google Drive is mixed. And finally, what is the big deal about having a computer that uses less software? After all, your excellent magazine regularly promotes new programs.

Michael Yarrow

CA SAYS Michael’s view reflects that of many Computeractive readers. With lots of photos, videos and documents stored on discs, they are concerned that many modern laptops lack optical drives. We explored ways to get around this in Issue 559’s Cover Feature – ‘Make Your CDS & DVDS Last Forever!’. If you missed it, you can buy a digital copy through

Zinio: www.snipca.com/32600.