>So if I understood at least part of what you said, emulation is
>software trickery to get a non perfect backup CD to still play.

Yes

>Because of magic, the best CD readers and software sometimes
>still aren't able to make an exact duplicate (1:1 copy) of a copy
>protected disc.

Not magic - copy protection. 1:1 disappeared some time ago. First, with the SafeDisc weak sectors replaced by different but recognisable weak sectors.

>Programs such as Daemon Tools provide the missing data to
>fool the protection scheme into running the backup.

Mmm, yes; they intercept and emulate.

>I assume these programs must be running in the background
> when you try to launch the game CD or do you have to actually
>use Daemon Tools to launch the game?

They run as daemons or tray filters launch the game as normal but with emu running if required

>If my main desire is to be able to mount CD images, what
>program would you suggest switching to?

Whatever can read the image in RAW Mode. CloneCD, Blindwrite, DiscDump/Fireburner, Alcohol 120%, DuscJuggler, burnatonce

>CloneCD has worked great in the past, but my newest SafeDisc
> 2.9 and SeruRom 4.8 CDs are a no go.

CloneCD has an emu option for SD2 on the burn; Hide CD-R media must be running and you'll need to completely uninstall the Virtual CloneCD Drive. You can use twinpeak with SecuROM 4.8x

>P.S.S. So emulation is a necessary evil?

It's not evil and is only necessary given specific combinations of h/w and s/w