Discussion of large systems

[Warren Wolfe]

On Wed, 2006-11-01 at 09:54 -0700, C Sullivan wrote:

> On Nov 1, 2006, at 9:31 AM, Warren Wolfe wrote:
> 
> >     That would be six, I believe.  But, why?  Just to say one did it?
> > In today's world, the way to implement the same algorithm would be to
> > use disk files; MUCH faster.  With a TERABYTE of screaming fast disk
> > storage available for a desktop machine for about 500 pounds (around
> > $750 US) the REASON for a multi-tape sort has gone away.  (Unless, of
> > course, one finds spinning tape reels exciting in themselves...)
> 
> $750?  You're getting ripped off.


    Fine.  I didn't check prices this week.  Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea
maxima culpa.



> Hell, I carry a terabyte around with me now when I travel (a 500GB  
> Firewire drive, and a 500GB-equipped D-Link NAS box.. hey, I got to  
> have my movies and mp3s with me, right?).


    I don't know.  For myself, I can usually get by with a subset of
them on my laptop.  And, if the voices in my head ask for a specific
movie, I can take that along on DVD.  I have a couple thousand DVDs, so
my motivation to pack hard drives with video is minimal.  Your mileage
(ahem, 'kilometerage' may vary.)



> As to WHY you'd want to do a sort onto tape, my To: field says this  
> is the classic computer mailing list.


    Oh, crap.  Classic COMPUTERS?  Where's the Judy Garland Fan Blog?



> It sounds like a fun project for somebody who as an old PDP
> (and the space for six tape drives) or similar lying around.
> Heck, it might even make a fun programming project to 
> "emulate" it using a bitty box and some virtual "tape  
> drives".  Lastly, it would make a great academic project
> for teaching.


    All valid reasons to be interested, I'll grant you.  Perhaps you
will grant ME that these various reasons require somewhat different
types of assistance, or at least a different tone of enthusiastic
grunting, if that is all that is required.  A screwdriver to adjust head
azimuth is pointless if one simply wishes to emulate tapes on disk, eh?
(See, I speak your lingo.  My name is not Wolfe for no reason.)



> My 2 cents.  Unfortunately, it's in Canadian coin.


    Ah, that would explain it.



            Peace,

            Warren E. Wolfe
            wizard at voyager.net