I think the issue of finding media tends to be a little overstated. I offered some 8" diskettes a while back and didn't have a single inquiry, and there doesn't seem to be a real shortage of other sizes either if you don't mind sorting through used ones; even paper and mylar tape seem to still be available.
When it comes to parts I often read complaints that a certain IC or part is unobtainium when a quick look on ebay or even Amazon will find a dozen listings; some people get satisfaction from finding parts or documentation that no one else could and sharing with the community. As to the reliability of mechanical devices, again, to each his/her own; what is a frustrating experience for someone trying to get something done is an opportunity for someone else to repair it and get that satisfaction. At least, unlike some mysterious custom IC you can see what the problem is and repair it. m On Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 1:31 PM Chris via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > I've never ever heard anyone state they like Goteks better then floppy > drives. The media is difficult to find in a usable state. That puts a big > crimp on any joy you may obtain from using original equipment. Hence people > opt for the next best thing. Which offers a number of conveniences I'll > add. On Monday, January 23, 2023, 01:26:40 PM EST, Christian Corti via > cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > On Mon, 23 Jan 2023, Chris Zach wrote: > > Is it a valid repair? Yes. Is it not "100% original" nope, and I don't > care > > too much. However one of the supplies was a total wreck from someone else > > Replacing a failed and possibly unrepairable component is something > different than changing working parts with newer ones "just because I like > the modern ones more". Then, I would not be in classic computing but just > in "running old equipment". > > Christian >
