Terri,

If all you did was touch the CD, you probably didn't ruin it.  Just touching 
a CD may put finger prints onto the surface, but it can easily be wiped off. 
If you play it, and it skips, you might try wiping off the bottom surface 
with a damp lint-free cloth or a paper towel.  This should work as long as 
the CD hasn't been scratched.  If it doesn't work, I'd say the CD got 
damaged before you received it, and there's probably not much you can do to 
fix it.

I usually try to handle CDS by holding them at the edges, or sometimes by 
placing my thumb on the edge and my index finger in the center hole.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terri Pannett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 18:36
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.
>