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)
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