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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!kurt
From: kurt@fluke.UUCP (Kurt Guntheroth)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: QL, Mac, Adam, non-std magnetics
Message-ID: <950@vax2.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-Feb-84 13:28:04 EST
Article-I.D.: vax2.950
Posted: Tue Feb 21 13:28:04 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 23-Feb-84 06:08:10 EST
References: <1930@ihnss.UUCP>
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, WA
Lines: 26

3" microfloppies (or 3 1/2" or whatever becomes the standard) are
worthwhile.  They have the following advantages over 5 1/4" disks:

* Much higher density.  Up to 400K on a single sided disk vs 230K tops on
  very high priced 5 1/4" systems.
* Faster track to track times, faster startup times, lower latencies.  This
  is because the media in a 3 1/2" disk is rigid and is held in a rigid
  plastic container with a metal hub.  Overall, the same simple
  manufacturing techniques result in a higher precision product that
* costs the same as 5 1/4"
* The 3 1/2" disks are sealed so you don't accidentially touch/spill coffee
  on the media.  They can be safely carried in your shirt pocket, mailed or
  left on a table top without a jacket.

It's up to you.  Do you want a faster, more reliable, safer, easier-to-use
medium at the same price or do you want what is familiar.

By the way, there is no such thing as compatibility among 5 1/4" disks.
There is barely compatibility among 8" disks in a single outdated mode.

Bring on the next generation!
-- 
Kurt Guntheroth
John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
{uw-beaver,decvax!microsof,ucbvax!lbl-csam,allegra,ssc-vax}!fluke!kurt