6 Oct
2005
6 Oct
'05
10:36 p.m.
Fra: "Scott Stevens" <chenmel at earthlink.net>
Think about the density of the data on the diskettes
(this is not a
comment meant as a defense for the poor quality of magnetic media, just
part of the discussion) A 1.44M floppy diskette puts a lot more data in
a smaller area. The highest density 8" media I ever had was DSDD, or
720K on the big 8" surface. That's a LOT larger disk and hence a much
lower density.
Plus, the world of computers today has a lot more room for
junk/commodity media. Anybody using floppy diskettes in 1976 had
serious heavy-duty reasons for doing so. And those diskettes were
EXPENSIVE. The disks you can get now at the Walgreens or a grocery
store aren't the same. Further, there's no market for a high quality
diskette, because 'high quality' customers have moved on to newer
mediums.
You are right about the density problem, but I dont think that an
acceptable-quality medium would be so much more expensive.
Things like packaging, the plastic around the disk itself, the shutter,
transport & distribution costs etc etc, would still be the same.
In my opinion, the problem is that computers (and hence the media) because of
mass production got into the hands of the unwashed. Look at e.g. videomachines;
years ago they cost and arm and a leg, and could be / would be repaired. Now
that the market has become so big, things like PC, video, etc. are commodities
like DIY tools, which of course are a long way from professional tools. If it
doesnt work anymore, just bin it.
Nico