🚀 go-pugleaf

parrisc@mail.auburn.edu (Scott L Parrish) writes:

>This may be the case with the parallel version for PC's as well.  How 
>much configuration does a PC system need to work with a zip?  Also, what 
>is the throughput of PC parallel ports?


Piss poor compared to SCSI.  Another reason SCSI is better.  *BUT* every 
PC comes with a multi-function card built in.  This card usually serves 
as the hard disk, floppy disk controller, two serial ports, one parallel 
port and one game port (for a joy stick or whatever).  This is just a 
standard item.  To put SCSI on is extra and takes another expansion 
slot.  Macs come with SCSI.

Also, this explains (I think) why Mac users don't see the $99 Colorado 
Jumbo tape backup systems (among other manufacturers).  First is market 
share, second is that these drives aren't slowed down by a parallel port 
because they are slow themselves.  You get what you pay for.  My Uncle 
has a tape back up, and does about 250MB at a time and a full back up 
takes a good hour.  Granted it's over a network which slows things down 
too, but geez.  250MB on a Zip drive would take what?  6 minutes at most? 
I don't have one yet so I can't say what the transfer rate is.


Chris Murphy