Back in the early 2000s, if you were burning CDs, you were probably using Nero. Launched in 1997 by Ahead Software, Nero Burning ROM became the go-to tool for ripping, copying, and creating audio or data discs—before streaming made that all feel ancient. It was clean, reliable, and way ahead of the curve when version 5 hit in 2000, supporting MP3s, ISO images, and multisession burns. Version 6 in 2003 basically turned your PC into a media hub with DVD support, video tools, and a slicker interface. By the time Nero 7 dropped in 2005, it was a full media suite—maybe too bloated for some—but still elite for anyone backing up files or making mix CDs. If you ever made a custom playlist and wrote on a blank CD with a Sharpie, Nero was probably behind it.