History of Floppy disk

	Revision 3 . . September 18, 2001 6:53 pm by Drj [moved applications and obsolesence to top.]
	Revision 2 . . (edit) July 27, 2001 6:56 am by Koyaanis Qatsi [" --> &frac; also other minor edits.]

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Difference (from prior major revision) (no other diffs)

Changed: 1c1,5

The floppy disk is a circle of [magnetic media]? encased in a plastic wallet, used for transferring data from one computer to another, and was used for small backup?s on personal computers prior to the widespread use of CD-Writer?s.

The floppy disk is a circle of [magnetic media]? encased in a plastic wallet, used for storing data. They can be used to distribute software, transfer data from one computer to another, and for small backup?s on personal computers. For many applications they have been superseded. In 2001 most machines used [hard disk drives]? for primary data storage, software is distributed via the internet or on compact disc, transfer of data is done using a network? (for example, the internet), backups are made using high capacity tape drives (such as DAT?) or writing to compact disk using CD-Writer?s. The case in which the disk is held is square (not a disk!) and this can confuse some novice users.

Changed: 7c11

Home computer manufacturers, who had previously been using tape? to save data too, saw the possibilities for this medium. Amstrad? incorporated a 3" inch disk drive into their CPC664 and CPC6128 models, amongst other manufacturers. They remained expensive and did not become standardised. However, they had a small [form factor]? and a rigid case with a slideable write-protect? catch, features which would be seen later in the 3½" disk.

Home computer manufacturers, who had previously been using tape? (compact cassette) to save data too, saw the possibilities for this medium. Amstrad? incorporated a 3" inch disk drive into their CPC664 and CPC6128 models, amongst other manufacturers. They remained expensive and did not become standardised. However, they had a small [form factor]? and a rigid case with a slideable write-protect? catch, features which would be seen later in the 3½" disk.

Changed: 11c15

But by this time, the 3½" disk was arriving. Borrowing from the advances made in the three-inch disks, as well as enhanced methods of manufacture, they were able to contain 720kB of data in their first standard, Double Sided Double Density. However, there was soon a new standard - High Density - represented by a human-readablestylised 'HD' in the top right of the disk and a machine-readable hole in the bottom right corner, with the write-protect catch remaining in the bottom-right corner. These were capable of 1.44MB and remain the standard in floppy disks until this day, despite successful attempts to put 2.88MB on a disk via enhanced formatting techniques.

But by this time, the 3½" disk was arriving. Borrowing from the advances made in the three-inch disks, as well as enhanced methods of manufacture, they were able to contain 720kB of data in their first standard, Double Sided Double Density. However, there was soon a new standard - High Density - represented by a human-readable stylised 'HD' in the top right of the disk and a machine-readable hole in the bottom right corner, with the write-protect catch remaining in the bottom-right corner. These were capable of 1.44MB and remain the standard in floppy disks until this day (2001), despite successful attempts to put 2.88MB on a disk via enhanced formatting techniques.

Removed: 19,21d22

Alternatives The widespread use of modems now means that most data transmission is done via the internet, but for backing up data and distributing software the disk has been superseded by the Compact disc.