Well, what did you do to that ppor CD to ruin it?  If you just touched it, you 
can clean it with a lint-free cloth using some CD cleaner or a bit of water. 
Just touching the CD shouldn't damage it.

The way you can usually identify the playable side of the CD is there is a 
ring about a quarter-inch toward the outside of the CD from the center hole.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terri Pannett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 6:36 PM
Subject: Audiobooks on CD


Hi, List,

I feel embarrassed, but I would like to ask a question and I hope people
don't criticize me too much.

I received two audiobooks on CD and I accidentally ruined the CDs.  I
touched the cds where I'm not supposed to.

My question is: if you are looking at a new audiobook and no sighted person
is around, what's the best way to handle the discs?  Each publisher has
their own way of packing the books.  For example, one of the books packs
them into a box that folds out like an accordion and the cds are partially
covered by a paper slot.  Another book places some of the cds like stair
steps and the cds are very close together.  Still another packs the cds
sideways and they look like pages in a book with a cd in a slot on each side
of the page.  Still another publisher places the CDS in a big box bottom
side up!

I don't want to accidentally ruin anything more.  Boy, do I hate CDs!
They're so fragile!  I wish people would use a medium like CompactFlash
cards or SD cards, but that wouldn't be as cost-effective.

Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.