Yes, tape drives and the sound they made while operating at speeds well above printer output was PITA.

But I will not say anything bad about them, as the tape in the bank vault saved a specific Hessian backside when untypical burglars took the time to dismantle PC (heavy tower with 7 discs (2 IDE and 5 SCSI), took drives and used tapes with them, leaving shrink wrapped new tapes in the drawer.

But yes, thumb drives, m-sdxc and external HD are a nice relief from those squeeeeling targets...

>Technology also helps.
>Every time I do a SQL backup and I notice that Microsoft has not changed the default medium from "Tape" I remember the hours frittered away on tape devices.
>I haven't seen one in so long I forget what they look like, but they were another source of grief.