24 Jan
2023
24 Jan
'23
12:57 a.m.
On Mon, 23 Jan 2023, Mike Stein wrote:
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.
I agree. My stock of floppy disks has become so large that I am not even
looking after such media any more. And I don't even accept 3.5" HD disks
any more, if offered.
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.
The point of classic computing (and other fields of course), for me, is
this feeling of satisfaction after a repair or after finding out how to
operate and run a system.
Christian