Is there a web site I can go to to learn most of the basic stuff I need to know about authoring and burning dvd-r's?

OEM

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. When an item is an OEM version, this means that the item is sent to us without logo-branded packaging, and may contain less documentation and software than the retail version.

for all your questions go to vcdhelp.com or the newbie stickies at the top of the forum.

Also OEM versions may contain certain hardware modifications to save on production costs ie. a video card may be clocked lower or a CDRW with less buffer or in the case of a 104 support only ATAPI4 instead of ATAPI5.

less buffer............only ATAPI4 instead of ATAPI5..............Celtic, you trying to clear things up for knowledg3 or scare him ;) I guess ATAPI protocols are basic in a techie mind :)

just had to kid you Celtic