The Ubuntu Guide web site runs down how to turn your CDs/DVDs and folders into .iso disk images. The process even demonstrates how to create your own MD5 checksum files. This surprisingly simple process makes it easy to create digital backups of all those installation CDs you've accumulated.

Creating an .iso image can be useful when you want to mount an image in VMWare and install software or updates. Just point to the directory and execute the command, before you know it you'll have a nice solid iso image to mount to your hearts content.

Although the process is specific to Ubuntu, you can follow the same tutorial to create .iso and MD5 checksum files in any distro.

Read on to learn how to create your very own .iso images using Ubuntu Linux.

Turn a CD/DVD into an .iso

sudo umount /dev/cdrom

dd if=/dev/cdrom of=file.iso bs=1024

Turn a folder into an .iso

mkisofs -r -o file.iso /location_of_folder/

Generate an MD5 checksum file

md5sum file.iso > file.iso.md5