BurnAgain FS: Mount Discs Like Disks

Way back in August, I reviewed an application called BurnAgain DVD, from FreeRideCoding. This application was designed to make it easy to backup files to removable media like DVDs and iPods. Now, BurnAgain DVD has been reborn as BurnAgain FS, with a new interface, new features, and a whole new take on re-burning optical media.

The basic premise behind this new app is being able to move files onto and off of DVDs and CDs almost like Disk Images. Once you insert a blank disc, you have to launch BurnAgain FS to open a session. BurnAgain FS supports CDRs, CDRWs, DVD+RWs and DVD-RWs. If you are not using a blank disc, the disc must have been burned using the ISO9660 rock ridge standard, and not have been closed (for example, a music CD from iTunes cannot be altered by BurnAgain FS, as it has been closed).

Once BurnAgain FS has launched, and assuming you have inserted a disc that is compatible, all you need to do is click “Open” to begin your sessions. The disc will be mounted by BurnAgain, and double-clicking on its window will take you to it.

From there, all you need to do is drag files onto the disc, or into the trash to alter what is on the disc. When you are satisfied with your changes, you click “Close” and after naming the disc, BurnAgain will write the changes, all without having to erase the entire disc.

Compatibility wise, discs burned with BurnAgain should be readable on all platforms without any extra software. Compared to BurnAgain DVD, this is a list on FreeRideCoding’s site of new features:

• Use your disk directly in the Finder
• Open and edit files directly on the disk
• Remove individual files from the disk
• Replace folders (with the old items completely removed)
• Move or rename already burned items

With this update, BurnAgain has went from a backup utility, to a more general disc utility. You can still use it for backing up files, but I am sure that more people will be able to get use out of BurnAgain FS with its re-burning features.

This version is Leopard-only, so you Tiger folk will have to make the upgrade if you wish to use this utility. The trial of BurnAgain FS allows 20 free burns, and full licenses are available for 15€ ($23) from FreeRideCoding’s website.