Burning DVDs on El Capitan: A Guide for the Mac Archaeologist
So you've unearthed a relic from a bygone era: a blank DVD and a Mac running El Capitan, the operating system that peaked just before Netflix started recommending documentaries about sourdough starters. Fear not, intrepid explorer! We can forge a fiery path through the digital wilderness and burn a DVD fit for a museum exhibit (or, you know, your grandma's DVD player).
Gathering Supplies: A MacGyver Moment (Without the Paperclip)
- Your trusty Mac: Make sure it's actually an El Capitan machine. If your Dock looks like a sleek spaceship, this guide may not be for you.
- A blank DVD: This isn't a drill, folks. We're talking a physical disc, the kind you might mistake for a giant coaster. Don't worry, coasters won't burn well. Probably.
- The Files You Want to Burn: Videos of your early YouTube days? Perhaps a meticulously curated collection of cat memes? The choice is yours, just be sure they're compatible with a bygone era of technology.
Step One: The Finder - Your Digital Indiana Jones
- Unearth the Disc: Insert the blank DVD into your Mac's optical drive. Yes, that little slot that looks like it hasn't been used since dial-up. Give it a moment to register, it might be having flashbacks to the days of floppy disks.
- Behold! A Digital Treasure Chest: A new icon should appear on your desktop. This is your blank DVD, waiting to be filled with digital gold (or, more likely, cat videos). Double-click it to open the treasure chest.
Step Two: Drag, Drop, and Conquer!
- Assemble Your Collection: Now comes the fun part! Drag and drop the files you want to burn onto the DVD window. It's like creating your own personal museum exhibit, but way cooler because everything fits on one tiny disc.
- Give it a Title (Optional): Who wants a nameless relic? Feel free to christen your creation with something snazzy. "Mom's Birthday 2010" or "The Rise and Fall of My Myspace Account" - the possibilities are endless!
Step Three: Burning Bright (Without Setting Your Mac on Fire)
- Light the Digital Bonfire: Head up to the top menu bar and click "File" -> "Burn Disc." This is where the magic happens (hopefully without any smoke).
- Patience, Young Grasshopper: Burning a DVD takes time, especially on an El Capitan machine. Don't be surprised if it takes longer than an episode of your favorite 90s sitcom. Use this time to contemplate the impermanence of technology, or maybe just make a cup of tea.
Important Note: While El Capitan can burn data DVDs, it can't burn fancy movie menus or create playable DVDs with chapters and stuff. Those features belong to a bygone era known as "iDVD," a program that rests in the digital graveyard.
Step Four: Behold! A Technological Time Capsule
Once the burning is complete, you'll be the proud owner of a playable DVD. Just, you know, make sure the device you're playing it on isn't older than your Mac.
Congratulations! You've successfully burned a DVD on El Capitan and unlocked a secret passage to the technological past. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a documentary about sourdough starters.
