Station wagon full of tapes vs cigarette pack (was Re: thinking of the "ultimate" retro x86 PCs - what bits to seek/keep)

[Chuck Guzis]

On 06/03/2016 01:21 PM, Swift Griggs wrote:

> So what did I screw up?  :-)


Well, one thing that I note is that only an idiot transports valuable
data on "loose" 2400' 10.5" reels.  Some sort of retention mechanism is
desirable, say, a Wright Line-style poly band with hanger hook.  That
raises the thickness of the reel to 7/8" and the diameter to about 10
7/8" if you can find some way to minimize the effect of the closure
mechanism.   This is better than the hard-plastic cases, which could get
to be quite thick or the 3M hard plastic wraparound protectors, which
can approach 1 1/8" in height.  Note that this is nothing more than
yours truly grabbing the first couple of tapes off a pile and measuring.

As Will mentioned, 3600' tapes were nothing but trouble.

I do know that I can fit 6 10.5" reels of tape and their cases in my old
Samsonite briefcase, having done it many times.  I wonder how a 727 with
one passenger with 6 2400' tapes flying between San Jose and Dulles
compares in bandwidth...

--Chuck