Date   : Thu, 26 Apr 1990 00:26:16 GMT
From   : portal!cup.portal.com!compata@apple.com (David H Close)
Subject: 8" drives and BBSes

Peter da Silva <peter@ficc.uu.net> writes:
" Has anyone got some data on BBSes running on 8" drive machines? I'd think wit
h
" the floppy spinning all the time you'd expect to have a big problem with disk
s
" wearing out. Is this a real problem in practice, or am I inventing reasons no
t
" to run a BBS?

Back around 1978 I was involved in a project to build a 3270 cluster emulator
with local processing.  Disk storage was up to 4 8" floppies.  One day, when
the system stopped responding, we checked the cabinet.  One door wouldn't
open.  When we finally pried it open, we extracted the diskette jacket but
a large arc of the vinyl inside was missing.  It had been chewed off and
pulled out through the r/w slot.  The jack was UNdamaged!

So, yes, drives that run constantly are a real problem.  But not all 8" drives
run constantly.  The Tandon 848 doesn't, amoung others.

Dave Close, Compata, Arlington, Texas
compata@cup.portal.com
compata@mcimail.com