DOS Games Discussion

Wally · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

but you cant see it either

Interon · Guest

Of course not. Isn't CDFS wonderful? The "deleted" files remain as useless invisible masses of ones and zeros.

CDFS = Compact Disc File System

Wally · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject:

fair enough

Dogbreath · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:19 pm Post subject:

And even though you can't see it, it's still taking up the same amount of space. Unless you're trying to hide pornos on it or shit it's a terrific way to waste time, money, and a CD-rom.

Being a student, I personally use floppy disks on a almost daily basis. I've transported literally hundreds of assignments to school and back and couldn't do without it. Reasons:

#1
Floppy disks are much more compact, and are good for individual assignments. After I'm done with it I put a label on it with the name of the assignment and the grade I got, and then store it in my completed homework bin. It's a lot more convenient (and safer) than storing paper assignments, not to mention it'll help tremendously when applying for college next year.

#2
The schools read/write programming is different than my computers, and it'll be even more so in 10 years. Floppy disks are a universal medium.

#3
There’s no way I'm going to be using 720 megs on a 50 KB assignment. I could use the CD for better purposes-like music or game storage. (I actually have about 10 CDs full of games I've downloaded but keep off my computer for space and usability reasons)

Wally · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:21 pm Post subject:

what about USB memory keys?

Kazer0 · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 9:15 pm Post subject:

RE: The CD-R

Nope. Your seeinging things. The file system is finalized, and the size cut to match. Even if you somehow managed to make the files not visible, you wouldnt be able to put more data on it.

Interon · Guest

That's only if you finalize the disc. If you use multisession, you can keep adding to it until the disc is full (210 MB, 650 MB, 700 MB, or whatever). I use multisession a lot (burn once a day for lots of days until I use all 700 Mb). Most classic CD-ROM drives can easily read multisession CD-R's.

Even with multisession, the floppy disk is still better for small files since multisession adds about 5 MB or so each separate burning time. If you only burn one file at a time, you'd probably fill the CD with less than 100 MB of small files. Also the wear and tear of the CD burner.

Albeit if you still disdain the floppy disk, set aside one CD-R for MISCELLANOUS data. Make sure you use multisession.

For those that don't know, multisession does NOT work for music (CD player format). It only works for data/files. i.e. you need to burn all the songs at the same time, can't put one song on and add more later. A few people figured that out too late and ended up with CD-Rs with one or two songs on them, thinking that they could add more later as they found them.

Dogbreath · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 2:59 pm Post subject:

Interon · Guest

I guess he's talking about those pocket hard drives that plug into USB ports. Plug it in, it automatically assigns itself a drive letter, I think.

They come in different sizes, 64 MB, 128 MB, maybe bigger.

Yeah those may be a decent alternative to CD-R's and floppies. But the problem is that some computers don't have USB ports (Pentium 1 and under). And they are mighty expensive too (about $50.00 CAD or so in Radio Shack). At least floppies are only about 50 cents each.

Dogbreath · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 5:05 pm Post subject:

Why would want to shell out $30 for something I'd never use when I can buy a 100 pack of useful floppies for the same money?

Wally · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 6:57 pm Post subject:

well one 128 mb memory Key = 88.8 floppies thus it lasts longer (acording to The author)

100 pack for $30?

I dont think so.

Interon · Guest

I got a 100 pack of Maxell floppy disks for about $30.00 at Costco/Price Club.

Dogbreath · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:

http://www.discountofficesupplies.com/ce/shop/ui

100 pack floppy disks, EXP 3.5 Diskettes, IBM Formatted, Double-Sided, High Density. $23.84.
Floppy disk drive, $25 dollars.
Seeing the look of disbelief on Wally's face, priceless. Wink

Kazer0 · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 10:21 pm Post subject:

USB keys are 49.99 CAD for 256mn. And no, they do not assign a drive letter. They are recognised as USB keys in Windows, and require a driver disk.

Interon · Guest

Oh, so that makes them even more clunky. Stick with floppies and CD-Rs folks, you don't want to put registry/DLL junk on your friend's/school's computer.

Albeit they do have their niche I guess. But I don't know why anyone would buy them in lieu of DVD/CD burning or floppy disks unless they were in the upper class/rich.