hallett@macbeth.steinmetz (Jeff R Hallett) (08/14/87)
I recently tried to buy a Rodime Plus 20 on the hardware special from
MacConnection. Well, I had the drive for about 2 days and I thought
I'd let you know what I thought of it.
First, it goes together quite easily and I had it up and running in
about 5 minutes. The documentation is worthless since it uses the
name Plus 20 to refer to the drive, but none of the pictures or
directions on finding things match the drive. I think they took
another drive they make, did a global-replace and shipped it.
The drive is very fast on bootup and to use. However, you pay the
price in flexibility. They have hard-coded the drive driver into the
System software. This means that to use new System software, you must
wait for the Rodime people to patch it up and send it to you. Also,
the keyboard driver is hardcoded into the System as well. This thing
thought I had a Mac Plus keyboard when I was using the old one.
Needless to say, it as trying at best.
All of this was totally unacceptable for me so I sent it back. There
are plently of drives available that don't have to play this patched
System trick and are just as fast (I can't perceive a 10ms
difference).
However, other than these problems, the drive seems excellent. So, if
none of this bothers you, you have a Plus keyboard and don't mind
waiting for System upgrades, then by all means buy it. It is a good
price. For me, I'll buy the Jasmine. Speedy, reliable Direct Drive
20. Sure it's more, but for the flexibility of software and the time
getting all that Public/Shareware stuff saves me in downloading, I'll
pay it.
Jeffrey A. Hallett (hallett@ge-crd.arpa hallett@desdemona.uucp)
Software Technology Program
General Electric Corporate Research and Development
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"The needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many"
-- Kirk (STIII)
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Disclaimer: My opinions do not represent my employer's, but it is his fault
for giving me this thing.
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