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From: envbvs@epb2.lbl.gov (Brian V. Smith)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: dec3100 tape drive
Keywords: dec3100 system , compatible tape drive
Message-ID: <2836@helios.ee.lbl.gov>
Date: 16 Jun 89 17:59:32 GMT
References: <1934@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU>
Sender: usenet@helios.ee.lbl.gov
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In article <1934@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU>, msc_wdqn@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU (Daniel Q. Naiman) writes:
> 
> I am considering purchasing a dec3100 and the TK50 that dec sells, even with  
> the academic discount at $2658 seems a bit steep. Sun's tape drive is 
> only around $1168 for me. This state of affairs seems a bit odd.
> 
> Does anyone know what less expensive options I have?  
> I am somewhat new at this sort of thing. Are there inexpensive and 
> reliable tape drives  that I can use to load the same distribution tapes?
> What is really going on here?
> 
> Please post message, call or send mail.
> 
 
In the first place, the Sun tape drive (if you are talking about the
1/4 inch cartridge system) only holds about 60 megabytes and, the biggest
pain: YOU CANNOT >>>ADD<<< TO A 'TAR' FILE.  You have to create a whole new
tar file from scratch ('tar c') because it can't extend a file.

It is true that the DEC TK50 drive is overpriced (everything sold on the
component level by DEC is overpriced), but you do get 
95 megabytes on a cartridge and it is faster (true, not much) than
the Sun drive.

_____________________________________
Brian V. Smith    (bvsmith@lbl.gov)
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
We don't need no signatures!