Date   : Fri, 25 May 1984 09:03:00 EDT
From   : "I. Larry Avrunin" <avrunin@Nalcon.ARPA>
Subject: Floppy Disks

I have been trying to determine the differences if any between floppy
diskettes.  There is much advertising hype and claims but none that 
really say anything.  One thing for sure is that there is a wide range
of prices for floppies.

I don't mind paying a little more for a particular brand if it is in
any manner better than any other.  Someone once told me that their data
is important to them so they don't use anything but Verbatim Data Life.  I
have heard the same thing about Dysan.  On the other hand I have heard that
"Ultra" and "Elephant" diskettes meet all standards and are certified error
free and are much cheaper.

If anyone has any information about this I think we all might benefit.  I
have personally used Ultra, TDK and Maxell as well as Verbatim and have not
had any problems with any of them.  One thing in regards to the question
about notching a floppy, I have done that with a paper punch and the 
reasons I have heard that you should not are:

      1.  Disk rotation changes and can dislodge dirt that has been collected.
      2.  When you turn the diskette over, the original side is now against
         the pressure pad which might be dirty.
      3.  Notching can cause liner to have particles dislodged that can 
          get on magnetic media.
      4.  Any warranty on the diskette is void.

If 1 and 2 are truly a problem you can't help but wonder why games and
other products come that way.

Larry Avrunin