Msg: 4088 *Conference*

03-08-93 16:17:45

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : GERRY TOLENTINO

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4085 (SHARP CE-301F DISK DRIVE)

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Gerry: I've seen similar requests for bigger, DOS-based drives for Model T's
year after year.  And, to the credit of those that have the know how, it's been
tired but nothing firm has ever come of all the efforts.  However, if a large
enough interest were presented to purchase such drives, and a method discovered
to cost-effectively manufacturer such drives developed back in the 80's it
would have been a reality, today.  It's not.  This is not to say that someone,
somewhere has not already adapted DOS-based drives to the Model T.  I'm just
saying that I, personally, have not heard anything--and I hear just about
everything.

The most successful attemp for a decent drive was developped by Holmes
Engineering, Sandy, UT.  They invented the Chipmunk drive.  It ran on Model
100's and 200's but not Model 102's.  It was "almost" DOS-compatible but off
just enought to be a true DOS-compatible drive.  The storage capacity was 320K,
SSDD with the ability to go DSDD.  The DOS was invented by PCSG.  They also did
the marketing.  The DOS was called CDOS.  CDOS has great.  It supported
subdirectories, direct Telcom or BASIC to drive access, and more.  The Chipmunk
drives was always the "best" technology available but allas, the Chipmunk
drives died away for a variety of reasons.  Who cares, now.  That's history.

If you're looking for large file access then Booster Pac is the key.  Booster
Pac is not a drive but it's packed with lots of features.  Then there's rampac
for special uses.  For drives I'd look into a TPDD or TPDD2, or using a desktop
computer for file storage via Lapdos II, BoosterLink, or 100duet--all depending
on what you want to do and what platform you'll be doing it on... whatever "it"
is, of course. (grin)

Hope this helps... -Rick-