Similar to the experience of Dr. Andrea Elberger, we have also had optical
disk problems.  Unfortunately, we never came to a satisfactory solution.
Our own experiences and previous discussion over this list make me think that
the rewritable optical disk isn't such an attractive storage solution as it
first appears.  (Some have suggested that writing to CDROMs is a better way
to store images).
  We purchased a Pinnacle Sierra rewritable 1.2 GB drive for use with our
Sun SPARC stations.  It performed fine for a while, then suddenly an entire
disk side (600 MB) became unreadable!  Apparently due to the nature of the
UNIX file system, none of the files could be rescued.  A check with the Sun-
managers list revealed that this happens to a lot of people, using optical
drives of various manufacturers.  Some felt that dust could foul up the
device.
  Since that first disaster, we now store image files on 2 separate optical
disks.  We also do a file system check regularly, but that doesn't help -
The same thing has happened again - with no warning of a gradual deterioration.
That's 2 failures in 6 months of moderate use, out of a total of 14 disk sides
filled or partially filled with data.
  The optical disk manufacturers tout the great reliability of this method -
30 year shelf life, etc, but my confidence has been diminished by experience.
We are still relying on the optical drive, but now at twice the effort and
expense.
 
 
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        David Berk
        Radiation Oncology
        Mass. General Hospital
        Boston