DECtape (originally called Microtape) was a magnetic tape data storage medium used with many Digital Equipment Corporation computers, including the PDP-6, PDP-8, LINC-8, PDP-9, PDP-10, PDP-11, PDP-12, and the PDP-15. On DEC's 32-bit systems, VAX/VMS support for it was implemented but did not become an official part of the product lineup. DECtapes were 3/4 inch wide, and formatted into blocks of data that could each be read or written individually. Each tape stored 184K 12-bit PDP-8 words or 144K 18-bit words. Block size was 128 12-bit words (for the 12-bit machines), or 256 18-bit words for the other machines (16, 18, 32, or 36 bit systems). From a programming point of view, DECtape behaved like a very slow disk drive.
DECtape had its origin in the LINCtape tape system, which was originally designed by Wesley Clark at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory as an integral part of the LINC computer. There were simple LINC instructions for reading and writing tape blocks using a single machine instruction. The design of the LINC, including LINCtape, was placed in the public domain because its development had been funded by the government. LINCtape drives were manufactured by several companies, including Digital.
(lee brilleaux/gypie mayo)
Take a little tip from mr. johnny green
Keep your rear view mirror clean
Keep an eye on the road and the one behind
Increase your speed if you're so inclined
Gotta to go faster
Gotta get along
Gotta to go faster
Put your foot to the floor
Push yourself just a little bit more
Take a little tip from mr. nosebleed sam
Kissed the screen in a traffic jam
It minced his face and it bust his nose
Broke his leg and ripped his clothes
Gotta to go faster
Gotta get along
Gotta to go faster
Grit your teeth, clench your jaws
Push yourself just a little bit more
Take a little tip from mr. racetrack tony
Stick it on the nose and ride your pony
Dance for the winner and ride your nag
Take your dinner from a new nose back
Gotta to go faster
Gotta get along
Gotta to go faster
Ride your nag till your sore
Push yourself just a little bit more
Gotta to go faster
Gotta get along
Gotta to go faster
Grit your teeth, clench your jaws
Push yourself just a little bit more
Take a little tip from mr. johnny green
Keep your rear view mirror clean
Keep an eye on the road and the one behind