On Tue, May 23, 2023 at 2:21 PM Paul Koning <paulkon...@comcast.net> wrote:
> > I do seriously wonder why nobody has been suggesting the > > flux-transition type of device. If it can be got to work then it would > > seem the ideal solution in that it can handle anything the disk drive > > [1] can handle, including non FM/MFM formats. > > Sure it is likely to work. But the point of the other suggestions, such as > the one I wrote saying just to use a stock floppy drive, is that it offers > another option that is easy. It would also be a particularly convenient > choice for anyone who already has such a system sitting in the closet, or can > get his hands on one easily. Given that conditional, this make a lot of sense. But the statement was originally made without the conditonal. In my first message I pointed out that I had 2 classes of computers . Classic computers which have floppy drives of various sizes but not USB ports. And this modern-ish laptop which has USB ports and no floppy drive. I think this sort-of implies I don't have an old-ish PC tucked away somewhere with USB ports and a floppy controller. > > While those flux widgets have at times tempted me, I haven't had a > requirement for one yet, and unless at some point in the future I do, chances > are I'll just stick with my existing off the shelf PC. Sure, if you've got a solution that works for you, use it. In terms of bying something now, you can get a Greaseweazle in the UK for about £25.00 including postage. I suspect that getting an old PC would cost more than that -- the hardware may be cheaper, but getting it home won't be. And I can see disadvantages to using such a machine. But other that an Apple-based solution which is not applicable to me, I've not seen any messages here on the pros and cons of the various flux transition devices. -tony
