An option - Re: the beginning of the end for floppies

Recent thread on ?beginning of end for floppies ? Sony dropping production.? Since some ?recent chatter? about this ? the following is what I have found out so far. Check out PLR Electronics in Texas on the web ? WWW.PLRELECTRONICS.COM. They offer an option of a ?3.5? floppy drive to USB flash drive reader? - a disk drive ?emulator? ? 3.5? & 5.25? with files recorded to a USB thumb drive - $275 ? no disk drive or floppies required. You simply replace your disk drive with this device [fits in drive bay and connects directly to existing power & ribbon cables] and it acts like a disk drive. No software to install. They have their manuals, etc. as PDF files posted on their web site. You get it from an embroidery place EMBACCESS [www.embroiderybids.com] which may seem odd. But the key I found out from them is that many third world countries that use various fabric machines [e.g., embroidery, sewing, etc.] still use older fabric machines that make use of such floppy drives / disks. Also other industries use them ? e.g., machining, etc. The PLR Electronics owner, a computer science grad, saw the need and made it. So far, works just fine, but I am still evaluating it. More on this later. Obviously, not for everyone. Service prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, etc. and even upgraded shipping to FEDEX from USPS, when I called about some details of my order. Order was requested by PLR to be even tracked by FEDEX and I got email reports. Only one that I found on web that seems to ?really? do this + available, much info, prompt / knowledgeable service, USA company, etc. If others similar, please let us know. You need to specify that it is for ?an IBM compatible drive? and not another type of disk drive that might be used on a non-computer machine. Best to call, since this ordering option is not on web site. Also, the optional ?file chooser,? is shipped separately, if you get it. Mine came 4 days later, FEDEX also. Funny story to help possibly brighten your day ? FEDEX delivered it on a Saturday ? so not expected. My wife ran over it with her car backing out of the garage. It survived, but obviously, not recommended !!! Case needed some ?adjustment? to fit in drive bay, but it worked !!! Hope this is of some interest and use. Backward compatibility has always been an issue for many and probably always will be. This device provides another option. Frank -----Original Message----- From: joe lobocki <jlobocki at gmail.com> To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Sent: Tue, Apr 27, 2010 7:00 am Subject: the beginning of the end for floppies Well, as of yesterday, Sony is planning to stop production of floppy disks. pparently, other companies will still make them, but I'm sure its only a atter of time.... ttp://www.crn.com/storage/224600457;jsessionid=GTMHM30DE1HQBQE1GHPCKH4ATMY3…