rl1b+idm.err@ANDREW.CMU.EDU (05/05/89)
> Is there any way to contact Suitable Solutions through the > net? My main question is for information on the new, less > expensive IDRIVE I heard about. Does anyone know anything about > this? Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. > Alok > BITNET: AKK9180@RITVAX As of this week, Suitable Solutions is accessible on CompuServe. I have asked whether they have network access and will relay their reply. I think not. Here is the current description of the Idrive. Address and fax and phone numbers follow. ----------------------------------------------------------------- -- IDRIVE from Suitable Solutions Brief Product Description IDRIVE is a floppy disk drive that can be added to the Rainbow either internally or externally, to allow "industry-standard" double-sided double-density diskettes to be used on the Rainbow. The internal model is by far the most popular, installing beside the existing A/B floppy drives, either by itself or on top of a half-height hard disk. A ribbon cable from the back of the IDRIVE connects to the floppy disk controller slot that DEC originally intended for a second set of RX50 floppies (drives C/D). A custom- designed base plate and metal housing, along with software and full installation instructions, are part of the package. The external model of the IDRIVE is more expensive, but is the only answer for those who have full-height hard disks installed that they want to keep. This model comes with a separate case and power supply, and can be used anywhere within about 4 feet of the Rainbow. The external IDRIVE has the added advantage of being shareable (by means of an A/B switch) between 2 Rainbows in close proximity. IDRIVE can be used with either single-sided or double-sided industry-standard diskettes, but double-density only. It will not accommodate the high-density (1.2 MB) diskettes. IDRIVE is as easy to use as any other floppy disk drive. To access a diskette in industry-standard format, simply address drive I: (this is the default; driver letter can be changed if needed). IDRIVE is ideal for taking data files (word processed documents, spreadsheets, data base files, etc.) back and forth between similar software applications on a Rainbow and an IBM-compatible. For example, if you are running the Rainbow version of Lotus 1-2-3 and want to be able to use the worksheet file under Lotus 1-2-3 (or a program that reads Lotus files) in your IBM-compatible, just copy the file on your Rainbow to a diskette in I:, then use the diskette in the IBM-compatible! You can go back and forth as many times as you like, using the same diskette. No further conversions, translations, degaussing, or other work is needed. A more detailed data sheet and photo is available by mail or FAX. Suitable Solutions Price: $225-325 (call) 1700 Wyatt Drive, #12 As of: May 1, 1989 Santa Clara, CA 95054 (408) 727-9090 Available: May 1, 1989 (408) 727-0823 (FAX) CIS ID: 76666,3003 Michael E. Macmillan ----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- CompuServe: 74206,577 Bitnet: macmillm@ewc GEnie : macmillan UUCP : {ihnp4|uhccux|vortex}!islenet!mmac ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------
AB9J@CORNELLC.BITNET (Bill Martin) (06/12/91)
I also had problems with my i-drive. I am able to read/write
the 720K floppies only if they were created on the Rainbow.
I was never able to share the disks between the Rainbow and
the IBM PC ('data error reading ...'). Since data sharing was one
of the I-drive's selling points, I must have received a defective unit.
Since it worked fine as a higher capacity floppy drive on the
Rainbow, I never did get around to replacing it.
Anyway, get a copy of Computer Shopper and order a replacement
Teac FD-235F. I saw them advertised for as little as 59 dollars
a few months ago.
-- Bill --