> On Nov 8, 2013, at 12:01 AM, "IBM-MAIN automatic digest system" 
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> In <[email protected]>, on 11/06/2013
>   at 04:15 PM, Rich Greenberg <[email protected]> said:
> 
>> On the "mass" storage of the time (i.e.  paper tape),
> 
> The mass storage of the time was magnetic strips, e.g., C.R.A.M,
> noodle picker, R.A.C.E. For smaller files there were disks and drums.
> Eunix <g> did not run from paper tape.

Umm, yes it did. V7 and pre2.6 BSD both could be booted and run from paper tape 
as well as RP02s. Required all 4 core plane mobys installed on the PDP chassis 
and the SAIL modified address multiplexor hardware, but it would work. 2.6BSD 
and higher required at least one RP03. I think what Rich is referring to is the 
common practice of Lesser Mortals (ie ordinary users) were often forced to 
store their programs on paper tape because most sites couldn't afford enough 
disk to do permanent online storage. You did a lot of 'cat < /dev/ptr > 
/tmp/foo.f' in those days.

Paper tape was widely used for program storage and data storage, especially if 
you were privileged to have a HSPTP/R unit (the 300 ips one). /dev/ptr and 
/dev/ptp were your Very Good Friends. Otherwise you were stuck with 110 cps 
/dev/tty.

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