Mag Tapes was RE: Got Videotrax card working

[Pete Turnbull]

On Mar 14 2005,  9:54, Paul Koning wrote:
> >>>>> "Joe" == Joe R <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> writes:
>
>  Joe> At 11:14 PM 3/12/05 -0500, James Fogg wrote:
>  >>  Over the years I've learned to never trust tape of any kind.
>
>  Joe> That's been my experience. I've never been able to get a tape
>  Joe> backup that worked. That includes brand new ones, DATs and
>  Joe> everything else. I know tapes have been a mainstay in the
>  Joe> computer field but I've had nothing but trouble with them.
>
> My view is that there are PC class tapes and real tapes.  Real tapes
> include classic half inch reel, DLT, and presumably IBM' cartridges
(I
> haven't used those).

I'll go along with that.  I've had a few problems recovering data from
8mm and 4mm tapes -- in the latter case it's been the drives that were
troublesome, rather than the media -- but not with DLTs or 1/2" magtape
(except for very very old ones).  I've never used QIC tapes, though
some of my friends seem to think the bigger ones are OK.

> It doesn't help when trade press reviewers don't take data integrity
> seriously.  Some years ago there was a review article about backup
> software.  The reviewers did some restore testing.  Good of them to
do
> that.  Some of the programs tested didn't reliably restore data, so
> they were docked 30 points or so.
>
> That's amazing.  The only correct answer would be to unconditionally
> flunk such programs, because the value of a backup program that can't
> restore reliably is obviously zero, not any higher value...

I agree.  If it won't restore, you'd be better off not bothering at
all, and saving the money (and time).

-- 
Pete						Peter Turnbull
						Network Manager
						University of York