10 replies to this topic

[Nateo]

Recently, I've found myself fascinated with the likes of the Famicom Disk System. I've seen recent additions to classic video game systems like the Super Game Module for the Colecovision as well as the Expansion Module for the 7800. That combined with the many flash carts developed for several systems got me to thinking...

Why not a floppy disk drive for the classic systems? It would allow for easy load from a relatively more modern computer, yet still retain that wonderful retro vibe. Not only that, but homebrews for these systems could be sold in floppy disk form, making for a much less expensive venture.

Anyway, I just think it would be real neat-o. What do you guys think?

[Nukey Shay]

...That (working) floppy drives, and the disks in general, are getting more scarce than old systems Pile on the slow/unreliable aspects and you have a real winner.

I want to see a punchcard reader for the Fairchild Channel-F system.

[Rex Dart]

Not a fan of A) magnetic media and B) moving parts, but I agree it's a cool idea. In the early-mid 90's I know I wished I had a sort of walkman that'd play MOD files off floppies.

[Nateo]

it wouldn't have to be the 5 1/4 floppies, it could be the 3.5! The drives are still being sold, both internal and external, and very cheaply I might add, with disks also being very available still and very cheap!

[bennybingo]

Nukey Shay, on Fri Jul 8, 2011 2:43 PM, said:

...That (working) floppy drives, and the disks in general, are getting more scarce than old systems Pile on the slow/unreliable aspects and you have a real winner.

I want to see a punchcard reader for the Fairchild Channel-F system.

The new expansion module:




And the new games:




I hope everybody has a big game room.

[bennybingo]

Nateo, on Fri Jul 8, 2011 2:53 PM, said:

it wouldn't have to be the 5 1/4 floppies, it could be the 3.5! The drives are still being sold, both internal and external, and very cheaply I might add, with disks also being very available still and very cheap!

magnetic media = highly unreliable. Just my opinion based on personal experiences.

[Pixelboy]

Is there any company anywhere in the world today that still manufactures floppy discs?

[Rex Dart]

Pretty sure 3M still does

[Nukey Shay]

Nateo, on Fri Jul 8, 2011 2:53 PM, said:

it wouldn't have to be the 5 1/4 floppies, it could be the 3.5!

Multiply "unreliable" by 100 in that case. Damn 3.5" disks gave me endless headaches until optical burners became affordable in the late 90's.

[Nateo]

Wow, I'm surprised you all have had such trouble with floppy disks. Aside from my Commodore 64 disk drive, I've NEVER had any problems with disks.

[Bruce Tomlin]

Floppy disks were pretty decent until 1.44MB disks. Then the manufacturers stopped caring about quality, or at least the ones who cared about quality stopped manufacturing them. It didn't help that most people bought based on price alone (since you can't see the crappiness on the box), giving more money to the crap manufacturers.

Also, I can't see any sane person slapping a floppy disc on anything today when we have these:

Edited by Bruce Tomlin, Sat Jul 9, 2011 11:51 AM.