DECtape

hardware, storage A reel of magnetic tape about 4 inches

in diameter and one inch wide. Unlike today's macrotapes,

microtape drivers allowed random access to the data, and

therefore could be used to support file systems and even for

swapping (this was generally done purely for hack value,

as they were far too slow for practical use). DECtape was a

variant on LINCtape.

In their heyday DECtapes were used in pretty much the same

ways one would now use a floppy disk: as a small, portable

way to save and transport files and programs.

(1995-03-16)