My XP-DVD has a lot of useful applications (Office 2007 + Visio + Project, Antivirus, VMWare, Nero etc etc..) The total file size is approximately 3.86 GB. I will be honest, and say that I did not optimize the Office install with the shrinker or anything. Vista is approximately 2.5 GB. Probably not enough for all my stuff on a regular DVD-RW.

My question is, how are you guys getting around that problem of space constraints if you are encountering them?

Reducing number of applications?

Bumping to DVD9s (and not use RWs)?

Perhaps even use an external USB drive for just the applications (If it was possible).

No probs so far,

You can use a usb pen drive for drivers & applications.

Run your apps from another cd or dvd,

Run your apps from a share,

Use VLite to reduce the Source.

Mine on average is under 3gig on one dvd & does the job for mine very well.

or fortunately I have the option of dual layer which you mentioned as DVD9s

When that happened with xp before the dual I just added Dual CD to the UXP application which worked out ok.

Your situation changes weekly if not monthly or it does for me so the size shouldn't matter, adjust as needed