8 DTDRIVER, SOFTWARE, Device driver for TC-11/TU56 DECtape  E The steam locomotive is an overweight, underpowered, fussy, expensive D to own and operate, totally obsolete source of motive power. And yetE is carries an undying charm that attracts many people. The same thing  can be said of DECtape.   E DECtape was a random-access tape storage device that used a 3/4" tape B to emulate a disk. The 4" diameter DECtape reel fit comfortably inB your back pocket (unless you dressed like John Travolta) and had aA capacity of 296KB. The concept of DECtape originated at the M.I.T B Lincoln Laboratory and was originally called LincTape. Out of thisC Digital developed the first personal storage media product in 1964.   A It was always a bit dumpy in terms of speed and capacity, but its D reliability was legendary. There are tales of DECtapes continuing toE work after being dropped into a mud puddle, washed off in a sink, and D hung up to dry; of working until the oxide was so worn off you couldD see through it; of a drive with a burned out motor successfully used( by hand-cranking the tape with a pencil.  E Nowadays, like the steam locomotive, DECtape is hopelessly overpriced C and underpowered (I've seen Postcript preambles that would overflow ? the tape), but it's still a blast to watch it run. Be the first ( on your block to run a real museumpiece!