Why no "easy" cd copy?
 

... Of course - unless I'm an idiot - very possible....

But I've have a Mac for at least 4 years, and only recently did it come to pass that I found out how convoluted it is to copy a cd. Here's the short story...

I've always had Toast from day one, and used that to compile and burn my cd's - or to copy a cd. My brother in law just bought a 24" iMac - I'm righteously jealous! He is only going to do basic stuff, and I do mean basic. But the thing is, he is severely, severely challenged when it comes to any computer - yes even Macs. I wanted to show him how to copy a cd, and realixed, there is no luddite way to do it.... You've got to create a dmg, etc., etc. - that would send him packing.

Why in the name of "ease of use" hasn't Apple included a "Copy Disc" button, or dropdown!!! To quote Vizzini::eek: "Inconceivable!"

Mike

If his machine is running Leopard, It is pretty easy.

1) Finder > File > New Burn Folder - this creates a Burn Folder on the desktop
2) Drag stuff to the burn folder (this makes aliases in the folder)
2a) Opening a Get Info window on the burn folder will let you see how big it is
3) When finished, use Finder > File > Burn "Burn Folder" to Disc…

Edit: you can also use Disk Utility.

Because Apple also has a small side business called the "iTunes Music Store", and the people it depends on for product live in mortal fear of the "Copy Disc" button.

Windows is also missing a "Copy Disc" funcion, unless it's a new bug feature.

As iTunes lets you burn CDs very easily, I'm not sure that this is the thinking behind the decision.

Like iTunes, the Finder works on the premise that you are unlikely to want to copy a disk without wanting the files on your own hard drive somewhere.
You can either use a Burn Folder in the Finder, or drop files directly onto the blank CD/DVD's icon.

Using Disk Utility, you can create a disk image of the disk, and then burn the image. The idea being that if you are likely to copy a disk once, you may well want to copy it again, so the image is useful.

However, if you want a free alternative to Toast, I can heartily recommend Burn.
http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html

Not that easily (import -> Playlist -> burn list), and it was just an educated guess.

Also, since when were the media people rational about this?

this also results in a lower quality copy, especially back in the days when iTunes defaulted to 128kb AAC on import.

I keep an old version of Toast on my computer for the sole reason of easy CD and DVD duplication. I have a new macbook and it runs toast 6 perfectly (through rosetta as its PPC only)

treat your friend to a old version of toast from ebay. sorted. ;-)

He would find this confusing - yes - he would!

I stand by my original remarks.... Easy is "easy" - put a disc in - copy disc... I could do the dmg, burn image, but these are terms he has no handle on, and would not understand. I did find a third party app that I think may do the trick. I see no need to go through all the copying to hard drive as image, etc.. Then I have to get him to delete the image, etc....

Easy is as easy does I guess!:)

Easy is a relative term. Some might say that if you can't copy a CD on a Mac then your problem isn't with the OS.

How often do most people (not Internet nerds) need to duplicate a CD to another CD?

How often does anyone need to do it? Once you've got it on a drive there isn't much need for the CD. I don't see a need for anyone, including Apple to spend much time making ancient technology easier to deal with.

Ive copied lots of discs in my time, but thinking about it - I cant remember the last time I did it... probably when I copied a kids music CD for my daughter, so once in 6 months. It was easier than replicating the playlist in iTunes (I dont want "bananas in pyjamas" in my library etc)

When I do it, I want it easy, and Toast is perfect for me. Also use it to burn audio discs with the MP3/AAC files in a second session.

None of this is any excuse. There should be a copy disc button on mac os x.

On windows I just insert a disc and it gives me the option to duplicate. Sure it's nero, but a copy disc button/software ALWAYS comes with the disc drive.

With a Mac it takes several steps, you have to make an image, bla bla bla.. but then there are a gazzilion 'ease of use' shortcomings with OS X, this is just one of them.

Actually, all this is an excuse. And a reasonable one, I think. Apple tends to design software based around the primary needs of the majority of users. Implementing every feature that anyone thinks should be included would lead to feature bloat and increased complexity which only benefits a small number of users. Unfortunately for you, in this instance you seem to be in the minority.

Apple is more than willing to let third-party developers provide features that specialized users seek. If this feature is so important to you, and you were willing to pay for Nero on Windows, look into Toast (as chris_on_hints mentioned). It's available for $80 dollars now with a rebate (same as Nero 9 costs). And Amazon has it for $5 less.

And rather than just express your displeasure here, you could always provide feedback directly to Apple, too.

So Windows doesn't do it by itself - you added 3rd party software. Same thing with the software that came with the drive. Did the function come with the OEM drive? No.

I don't think post #8 is an excuse.

It isn't. But the people who feel every feature they want should be included tend to see every explanation or rationale as an excuse.

I wasn't getting notifications on this topic and just noticed it has a few more replies.

For myself, I don't need a cd copy button.

It is quite easy for computer savvy individuals - like many of the members here to berate a need for an "easy" way to copy a cd, when they are quite familiar with disc images, using disc utility, etc.. When someone comes along with little to no knowledge of Mac operations, and a bit of fear of computers, I for one would want to make their experience a pleasant one.

So then by inference "Easy is a relative term. Some might say that if you can't copy a CD on a Mac then your problem isn't with the OS." these people are what stupid? Inept? Ignorant? I would say perhaps that they are just not comfortable with computers and as a result have problems grasping sometimes even what "we" consider simple. The guy with the problem is a retired Endodontist who successfully learned saxaphone, violin, built his own wooken kayak, and has had success in many other endeavors. Computers just break his knees.


The "need" albeit a small one, is for my sister to duplicate cd's so she can have a copy at work and one at home... I'm actually a bit surprised at some of the responses. Maybe I'm just a bit touchy today... We should not assume the knowledge we possess and take for granted is easily grasped and/or assimilated by others who do not share our abilities.

As I hinted to above, I suspect it was a choice by Apple (and Microsoft) NOT to include the function. Obviously all the tools are there, and it would be trivial to include the option in the Finder. So someone said "no" for some reason, and my guess is it is part of a licensing agreement not to include simple copy functions.

First of all, note that the only question you posted is, "Why in the name of "ease of use" hasn't Apple included a "Copy Disc" button, or dropdown!!" You didn't ask how to deal with your situation and instead only spoke out about a shortcoming you see, so I think the responses generally fit your post.

Looking at the issue your dealing with in another way, I don't think cwtnospam (or other commenters) was saying anything negative about anyone. I have a family member who often calls me for help. He is a still-practicing doctor who is utterly befuddled by computers – wouldn't know how to copy or paste text if his life depended on it. Yet, I get questions like "How can I make a CD slideshow of images that will work in a DVD player?" At the same time, after 5 years he still hasn't learned how to import pictures from his camera into iPhoto. Apple couldn't make this process much easier, yet it eludes him and he's looking to perform higher-level tasks. The point, then, is a case of should you buy a man a meal or teach him how to fish.

Since Apple has decided one-button CD copying is not a feature to implement, I can think of three easy approaches. You could write a tutorial for these people with pictures and clear instructions. I do this often for the people I help who aren't very good with computers. I send it to them with screenshots and precise instructions in PDF format (you could also post it online if you have a site or use iWeb if you're a MobileMe subscriber). Similarly, you could point them to online tutorials like this one. Finally, you could advise them to get Toast since it provides the feature they want and you are familiar with it should they need additional assistance.

it does appear that some people have a (maybe purposeful?) blind spot when it comes to doing stuff on a computer, even to the point where they dont pay much attention when you show them how to do stuff - i guess if you are the expert and are always happy to help, there is no need for our them to learn.

OTOH, audio cd duplication can be a tricky process - if you are a perfectionist like myself who wants it to be an identical copy and also to have CD-Text etc. I know people who import tracks into iTunes and then burn them to disc, not realising that the AAC 128k settings they used were not ideal. A simple process, single-button ideally, is very useful - even for people who know what they are doing.

bear in mind people that Apple and Microsoft have to (or think they have to) keep the record companies happy. its 99% certain that they didnt include cd duplication in either OS to placate the music industry. think back to the first iPod, which allowed you to drag music back off the iPod and the iTunes music sharing which used to work between networks. Apple had to backtrack on both these functions.

Just go and grab some (free) 3rd party app to duplicate and thats it.

Not stupid, but yes, ignorant. What's more they're ignorant because they know that they can get away with being ignorant. For whatever reason, they don't like or they fear (I blame much of this on Microsoft) computers, and they've decided to use them only when they absolutely must and even then, only when they can do so with the smallest possible effort. Trying to make things on a computer easy enough for them is like pushing on a string: it will never be easy enough. If you add one button CD copying part of the OS, they'll demand DVDs. Add DVDs and they'll ask for something else. Soon, you'll have so many buttons that people will ask for classes in what all the buttons do. Not very simple!

BURN http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html is a free simple app that lets you copy any disc or disk image.