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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!cca!ima!johnl
From: johnl@ima.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: using both side of disks
Message-ID: <38800005@ima.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 15-Jul-85 12:12:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: ima.38800005
Posted: Mon Jul 15 12:12:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 23:32:17 EDT
References: <11474@brl-tgr.UUCP>
Lines: 21
Nf-ID: #R:brl-tgr:-1147400:ima:38800005:000:1078
Nf-From: ima!johnl    Jul 15 12:12:00 1985


/* Written  7:57 am  Jul 11, 1985 by brown@brl-tgr in ima:net.micro */
/* ---------- "using both side of disks" ---------- */
> Therefore, most single-sided disks have *known* defects on the 
> uncertified side (you can tell which side is the correct side because 
> it has the label on it).  

This used to be true, but for the past several years it appears that most
floppy disks, whether labelled single or double sided, are in fact good on
both sides.  (This is a testimony to the quality of disk manufacturers --
they're making better media than they need.)

I know lots of people who buy single sided disks rather than double 
sided, but then format and use them as double sided.  The difference 
in price far outweighs the cost of throwing away about one out of 30 
that is only good on one side.  If you're really paranoid about your 
data being super reliable and clean, you might want to pay extra for 
nominally double sided disks, but if you really care about long term 
stability of your data, floppy disks are a poor choice in any event.  

John Levine, ima!johnl