Is nero the best data burning program if not what is?

For normal data burning, every burnware would do good job. However, Nero can overburn which will allow you to put a little more on the CD in case it's needed.

don't use adaptec EZ cd creator or even NTI - that last one really didn't work for me tho many use it.
I really like nero for regular data, and it's very easy to compile home-made data cd's or for backing up HD's aso...

Nero is much more stable then EZ CD Creator 5 Platinum...it doesn't have that "graphicy" interface.

clonecd gets all hidden files and sub files

Nero