[Info-vax] RMS internals?

[Bob Koehler]

In article <_7idnTheDPJv7hzXnZ2dnUVZ_gGdnZ2d at giganews.com>, "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88 at comcast.net> writes:
> Bob Koehler wrote:
>> In article <08SdnQzp4dLrQx3XnZ2dnUVZ_o2dnZ2d at giganews.com>, "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88 at comcast.net> writes:
>>> The only format that is close to being universal is fixed length 80 byte 
>>> records.  Many systems can block and/or deblock those fixed length records.
>> 
>>    Once upon a time I was told that the "universal" format was 800 BPI
>>    9-tracks written in unblocked 80 byte EBCDIC records.
>> 
>>    Fortunately, when we got our second 11/780 some nice DECcie gave us
>>    a program to translate to/from EBCDIC while moving files to/from
>>    tape.
>> 
>>    But the only 9-tracks drives know I can find are out of commision, in
>>    the basement of a friend who would like to find parts for them.
>> 
> 
> I wish him luck.  But what is he going to do with them if he does find 
> the parts needed to fix them?

   His hobby is collecting old computers and getting them to run. 
   Peripherals are part of the hobby.  His cats don't mind.