Mag Tapes was RE: Got Videotrax card working - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

14 Mar 2005

On Mar 14 2005,  9:54, Paul Koning wrote:
...
 
>>>> "Joe" == Joe R <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> writes: 
  Joe> At 11:14 PM 3/12/05 -0500, James Fogg wrote:
 >  Over the years I've learned to never
trust tape of any kind. 
  Joe> That's been my experience. I've never been able to get a tape
  Joe> backup that worked. That includes brand new ones, DATs and
  Joe> everything else. I know tapes have been a mainstay in the
  Joe> computer field but I've had nothing but trouble with them.
 My view is that there are PC class tapes and real tapes.  Real tapes
 include classic half inch reel, DLT, and presumably IBM' cartridges (I
...
  haven't used those). 
I'll go along with that.  I've had a few problems recovering data from
8mm and 4mm tapes -- in the latter case it's been the drives that were
troublesome, rather than the media -- but not with DLTs or 1/2" magtape
(except for very very old ones).  I've never used QIC tapes, though
some of my friends seem to think the bigger ones are OK.
...
  It doesn't help when trade press reviewers
don't take data integrity
 seriously.  Some years ago there was a review article about backup
 software.  The reviewers did some restore testing.  Good of them to do
...
  that.  Some of the programs tested didn't reliably
restore data, so
 they were docked 30 points or so.
 That's amazing.  The only correct answer would be to unconditionally
 flunk such programs, because the value of a backup program that can't
 restore reliably is obviously zero, not any higher value... 
I agree.  If it won't restore, you'd be better off not bothering at
all, and saving the money (and time).
--
Pete                                            Peter Turnbull
                                                Network Manager
                                                University of York