24 May
2023
24 May
'23
9:12 a.m.
On Tue, May 23, 2023 at 2:21 PM Paul Koning <paulkoning(a)comcast.net> wrote:
Given that conditional, this make a lot of sense. But the statement
was originally made without the conditonal.
In my first message I pointed out that I had 2 classes of computers .
Classic computers which have floppy drives of various sizes but not
USB ports. And this modern-ish laptop which has USB ports and no
floppy drive.
I think this sort-of implies I don't have an old-ish PC tucked away
somewhere with USB ports and a floppy controller.
I do seriously
wonder why nobody has been suggesting the
flux-transition type of device. If it can be got to work then it would
seem the ideal solution in that it can handle anything the disk drive
[1] can handle, including non FM/MFM formats.
Sure it is likely to work. But the point of the other suggestions, such as the one I
wrote saying just to use a stock floppy drive, is that it offers another option that is
easy. It would also be a particularly convenient choice for anyone who already has such a
system sitting in the closet, or can get his hands on one easily.
While those flux widgets have at times tempted me, I haven't had a requirement for
one yet, and unless at some point in the future I do, chances are I'll just stick with
my existing off the shelf PC.
Sure, if you've got a solution that works for you, use it.
In terms of bying something now, you can get a Greaseweazle in the UK
for about £25.00 including postage. I suspect that getting an old PC
would cost more than that -- the hardware may be cheaper, but getting
it home won't be. And I can see disadvantages to using such a machine.
But other that an Apple-based solution which is not applicable to me,
I've not seen any messages here on the pros and cons of the various
flux transition devices.
-tony