21 Aug
2016
21 Aug
'16
4:08 p.m.
On 08/21/2016 01:13 PM, js at cimmeri.com wrote:
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. I do
have a variety of
4mm, 8mm, and DLT tape drives in addition to the problematic ones
discussed earlier. But trying other, novel mechanisms that contain
brilliant design ideas is quite a bit as fun as well, beyond just the
practical concern.
Bet: I think 9 track or DLT will outlast them all, mechanism
longevity included. Specifically, I think my HP 7970E will likely
outlast every other mechanism / media combination I've got, with the
only uncertainty being the longevity of 9 track media... but there,
at least I've got a Mark III tape cleaner.
Given good quality media, I suspect that you're right. In theory,
7-track tape should outlast either, but the equipment is getting pretty
hard to find. Same for wide-tape schemes (I mentioned the Honeywell
Datamatic earlier--but there were others).
But strange and weird, if that's your thing, means that you should
probably investigate the really oddball stuff, like wafertape, stringy
floppy--and my personal choice for weird--Datasonix Pereos. 8mm
(Exabyte) drives have a pretty good chance of survival, but their
relatively lower market segment population probably dooms them.
--Chuck