15 Jan
1998
15 Jan
'98
1:55 a.m.
At 03:18 PM 1/14/98 -0500, you wrote:
These two threads just bumped together in my head. Has
anybody got
an idea of how long data should last on wire? It can't have the same
problem with oxide coating that tapes do - the main problem might be
to keep any oxide coating from developing. :-) Are the early wire
recordings still readable?
Maybe CDROMs beat wire in resisting rust, even if they are still not
quite perfect on that count. Still, something about the idea of using
such an old storage medium appeals to me.
Anyone want to try running some fine ferrous wire through an old
cassette (or even reel-to-reel) recorder, and see if the result is
readable? Given Allison's warning about head-wear, I wouldn't try
it on my favorite stereo system.
Just what we need, another incompatible storage medium. :-)
Cheers,
Bill.
The wire recorder head has a deep groove as a guide, as well as a shuttle
to wind the wire evenly on the spools. The quality is bad, the wire breaks
easily, (I once found myself with a glob of wire about the size and shape
of a hornets' nest when it broke while rewinding!) and is hard to splice.
The procedure was to tie a knot in it then heat to aneal it.
I have a book here somewhere on how to build your own wire recorder, but
it might take a year or two to find it.
Cheers
Charlie Fox