I think the issue of finding media tends to be a little overstated.
I offered some 8" diskettes a while back and didn't have a single inquiry,
and there doesn't seem to be a real shortage of other sizes either if you
don't mind sorting through used ones; even paper and mylar tape seem to
still be available.
When it comes to parts I often read complaints that a certain IC or part is
unobtainium when a quick look on ebay or even Amazon will find a dozen
listings; some people get satisfaction from finding parts or documentation
that no one else could and sharing with the community.
As to the reliability of mechanical devices, again, to each his/her own;
what is a frustrating experience for someone trying to get something done
is an opportunity for someone else to repair it and get that satisfaction.
At least, unlike some mysterious custom IC you can see what the problem is
and repair it.
m
On Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 1:31 PM Chris via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
I've never ever heard anyone state they like
Goteks better then floppy
drives. The media is difficult to find in a usable state. That puts a big
crimp on any joy you may obtain from using original equipment. Hence people
opt for the next best thing. Which offers a number of conveniences I'll
add. On Monday, January 23, 2023, 01:26:40 PM EST, Christian Corti via
cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2023, Chris Zach wrote:
Is it a valid repair? Yes. Is it not "100%
original" nope, and I don't
care
too much. However one of the supplies was a total
wreck from someone else
Replacing a failed and possibly unrepairable component is something
different than changing working parts with newer ones "just because I like
the modern ones more". Then, I would not be in classic computing but just
in "running old equipment".
Christian