On Fri, Jan 25, 2002 at 01:37:20PM -0500, Ken Hornstein wrote:
> >	Looking at replacing a DDS3 backup for a NetBSD/i386 box.
> >	Want around 50GB+ per tape.
> >
> >	On-Stream produce 50Gb Internal/External SCSI units for 375/645 GBP.
> >	Has anyone had any experience of these?
> >
> >	Another option could be an 8000S 40/80GB DLT, but they're a touch
> >	pricy...
> 
> A few years ago I asked for tape drive recommendations, because I had
> bad experience with Exabyte and DAT.  A lot of people responded, and
> everyone who had a DLT said, "They're expensive, but they're worth it".
> 
> I bought a open-box 2000 DLT drive, and I use it every week to back up
> everything.  It's been rock-solid.  I've never heard anyone say anything bad
> about DLT (other than the price).

If you look around real hard, you can find the occasional
really-good-deal on DLT media.  It's not usually trivial, but it helps
ease the pain.

It's a current industry screwup, IMHO, that there is no economical
backup system.  DAT is actually OK if you are careful, but hardly
ideal.  DLT is ideal but too expensive.

The rest... lot's of promise, but nothing really stands out as a winner
that I can see. MO should be good, but remains a pricey niche and for
whatever reason, DVD is taking a long time to become a bargain.

For what it is worth, I have seen good deals for DLT media on ebay now
and then.  If it would be a bit more consistent, or the prices in
general would drop, I would move to DLT because you can often find
reasonable prices on drives.

I was thinking, this question comes up so frequently, and tape backup
solutions are so difficult right now, it might be a good topic for a web
site or part of one. Maybe a place to go to get information and deals,
and perhaps provide some hints to the industry that they aren't giving
us what we need.

-- 
shannon@widomaker.com  _________________________________________________
______________________/ armchairrocketscientistgraffitiexenstentialist
 "And in billows of might swell the Saxons before her,-- Unite, oh
 unite!  Or the billows burst o'er her!" -- Downfall of the Gael