> then move the ones they want by FTP as needed.  I would like to switch to a
> more universal medium - namely CD ROM's.  My understanding is that CD's can
> now be written to in multiple sessions so you don't need to fill an entire
> disk at once.  Furthermore, it is my understanding that a disk of TIFF
> images should be readable by both IBM/WINTEL and Mac/PowerPC types
> computers.  Is anybody actually doing this?  Comments on how reliable are
> the recorders, which ones are best, pitfalls, etc would be appreciated.

We've been doing this for a while using a Yamaha CDR and used free
software bundled with the drive for the mac. We also found some free
unix
software for driving the drive from the SGI.

As long as you take a min or two to check file names the ISO formatted
disks mount easily on PC/MAC/UNIX.

I'd avoid multisession disks, in general they are a real pain.

Pitfalls? hmm buying a slow drive or buying from a vendor that doesn't
bundle all the software you need, it should be included for a PC or Mac.
For freebie SGI/AIX CDR software and links to Linux CDR software check
out
http://vil.ssec.wisc.edu/~forrest/homepage2.html

Hope that helps a bit

Douglas