more info on ancient tape

From: Aaron Michael Walkhouse <aaronwa_at_telusplanet.net>
Date: Wed Aug 26 09:57:26 1998

' -----Original Message-----
' From: CLASSICCMP-owner_at_u.washington.edu
' [mailto:CLASSICCMP-owner_at_u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Sam Ismail
' Sent: August 25, 1998 0948
' To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
' Subject: RE: more info on systems....
'
'
' On Tue, 25 Aug 1998, Aaron Michael Walkhouse wrote:
'
' > If you get a chance to look closer, see if those disk boxes (or
' machines)
' > contain tape cartridges.
' > These carts are about 4 1/4" by 5" by 1" (inches), contain 1
' spool each and
' > look like a corner has been cut off.
' > If you find some, poke into the gear and see how many can be
' loaded into the
' > racks (if you find some)
' > If you do indeed have an IBM 3480 tape library I want it,
' whether or not you
' > have any tape left.
' > (I want to dig a really deeeeeeeeep data mine!) ;]
'
' Ack! Finally someone who can use the hundreds upon hundreds of these data
' carthridges that I've been hoarding at work for years (well, one at least)
' in the hopes that someone, some day will speak up and say they can use
' them!
'
' Quick, tell me if you need them and I'll go grab them. As soon as I read
' your post, Murphy's Minions (the little gervils that carry out Murphy's
' Laws) began disposing of those carthridges. They were probably ordered to
' be dumpstered last week, but last time I was through there they were all
' over the place.
'
' HURRY! Tell me you need them! Don't let all my work be in vain. Just
' pay for shipping.

I have some already, but these are the type of thing that work best in LARGE
quantities.
        I also need a drive or library to plug'em into, but whatever. . .

At 6-7 bucks new these carts are downright economical, which is why I'm
looking.
I discovered this when a data disposal company here in Edmonton got a
contract to destroy a few thousand of them.
Looked it up on the net and learned about 3480 3490 tapes (fast, cheap,
reliable, roomy),
and now I want one of those beasts that can rack a few hundred (or
thousand!) carts,
switching from cart-to-cart in only 5 seconds. Oughta provide a fair backup
for my puny 6 gig disk.
Besides, I always like to packrat oodles of files and this sounds like the
way to go. . .
(It'd also look pretty cool dancing away behind my computer bench, eh?
  Maybe I could be one of "The Lone Gunmen" with snazzy gear like that.)

I'd have rescued these ones but they were under a contract and destined to
be sawn in half.
It was something to do with confidentiality or some such excuse, probably
related to the fact
that I and others here used to retrieve juicy bits from surplussed hard
drives from the governments. (heh-heh)

Anywho, how far is it and how many are they? Even old carts are worth
banking.
Since they come new in cartons of thirty that'd be 200 bucks a box, so I'm
sure you would save me a few bucks.

Also does your Company have any worries about the data? Anything that Sixty
Minutes would like?
They may want them destroyed for good reason and I wouldn't want to put you
in front of The Firing Squad. . . ;]

And MOST importantly: If there are carts being dumped, there may be a drive
in the pile! (Say it's so!)
I'd take it even if it squeaks or only holds one cart at a time. New
drives are STILL in the four-figure range!
Received on Wed Aug 26 1998 - 09:57:26 BST