[cctalk] Re: Why the Floppy Disk Just Won't Die

On 3/10/23 13:22, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: I've mentioned it multiple times on VCF and it's also mentioned on Herb Johnson's retrocomputing web site. I can't risk clobbering a client's disk or tape, particularly not one sent by an institution's achivist of whom I'd like to remain on the good side. D5/Cyclo has been a lifesaver. The stuff is slick but inert; it's used extensively in cosmetics and lotions. It's also somewhat volatile, so it evaporates after awhile. Hair detangler is a very notable use of it that even finds use in equine circles. I suspect that you could drink the stuff and not suffer anything but a bad stomach ache, but I'm not about to prove it. Another bottle of stuff that I keep around for softening rubber pinch rollers and capstans is methyl salicylate/oil of wintergreen. Smells to high heaven like arthritis cream. Mixed with a mild solvent (e.g. xylene) it softens hard rubber up quite nicely, but your shop smells like a gym locker room for a time. And of course, heptane for cleaning--dissolves glue, cleans tape heads, etc. without harming plastics or staining paper. FWIW, Chuck