Random Access Tape 2461

Michael Wojcik

One might note that early disk drives could have *fixed* heads, much like drums...another obvously random access device. The device just needs one dedicated head per track of information.

I take issue with the buttertion that tape is "inherently sequential". It is true that perhaps the DECtape had to at least read block headers, and that all the intervening blocks had to pbutt across the heads. But to some extent, a hard disk has to read track ID's as the heads fly across the disk to seek the correct track.

ISTM that the difference is in speed, and *no* one here is denying that things can be done to make the "seek" with a DECtape faster.

Also, as for "random access" tape, do *not* forget the "Stringy Floppy", by a company named Exatron. They were mainly sold for the TRS-80, and they were little cbuttettes of 1-8" tape that were random access. They were intended to subsbreastute for a floppy disk drive...back when floppy disk drives were fairly expensive. You can still find them for sale on eBay. To see a picture of these and read a blurb, see the bottom of the following web page: