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From: thad@cup.portal.com (Thad P Floryan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Seagate.
Message-ID: <20326@cup.portal.com>
Date: 11 Jul 89 09:08:31 GMT
References: <8907020047.AA15716@lilac.berkeley.edu> <3671@ddsw1.MCS.COM>  <10403@polya.Stanford.EDU> <3687@ddsw1.MCS.COM> <20260@cup.portal.com> <475@antares.UUCP>
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Regarding all the discussion of Seagate drives, I'd like to clarify one point
that is being glossed-over:

	The basic design of the Seagate drives is good.  I've consistently
	stated that IF one can get one's drive to spinup, it WILL operate
	well.

The one design FLAW is the production step during which lubrication is applied
to the plated-media platters; it is here where it "appears" Seagate chose to
save money by using infinitely-variable human labor instead of expensive,
high-technology, state-of-the-art, closed-loop, precision production machinery.

Many people bemoan the high INITIAL cost of Maxtor, Wren, and other "quality"
drives.  With such disk drives, assuming you're not getting gouged by paying
the full "list price", you DO get more value in terms of better QA, better
tolerances, better performance, and peace-of-mind (especially important if you
use computers to earn your wages.)

Closer adherence to "specs" (meaning $$$) is also why a racing car's engine and
drive train components undergo what is known as "blueprinting": every part being
machined to conform to the design, with essentially a zero tolerance.  Such
"blueprinting" avoids the effects of tolerance buildup and other manufacturing
"slop", and is mandatory if one needs the parts to perform AS DESIGNED and
computer-simulated.

Someone said that Seagate drives were "cheap"; I believe the word "inexpensive"
is a better description.  If all the manufacturing steps are performed to spec,
I have every belief the drives will provide many useful years' service.

Caveat emptor!

Thad Floryan [ thad@cup.portal.com (OR) ..!sun!portal!cup.portal.com!thad ]