You would think I would learn; pretty much everytime I am do hardware
maintenance on a linux system, I happen to time one of my reboots so that
one of the automated fscks is trigged. Either too much time has passed
since the last one or the partition has been mounted too many times (both
can be set/reset by tune2fs). It is almost always one of my large
partitions which takes a good while to check, meaning I sit around
twiddling my thumbs not wanting to start anything else until I finish the
maintenance. Thus I present sysadmins law 119.
Automated file system checks (those not triggered by an error) always
happen at the most inopportune times. Either reset the counters or do a
check before starting maintenance.
My office is littered with random computer paraphernalia. Some are parts that are still useful, many others are antiquated and would be considered trash by most people. This bit is one that I find too amusing to even consider throwing out. In the box is A Devoke Data Products Disk-Pro-Tek Floppy Disk Reinforcing Kit. As the instructions (scan) state, they "Extend the life of your flexible discs and mini-flexible discs by strengthening the spindle hole and thereby substantially reducing the chances of disc dimpling, coating removal, and permanent distortion."
While I never actually used 8 in. floppies, I used plenty of 5 in. ones and rarely had issues that this kit would solve. Overly paranoid computer users do all sorts of silly things (for example d_skin Protective Disc Skins). If a particular disk is that valuable, a copy should be made and the copy should be the one used on a regular basis.
These are the actual reinforcement labels. They basically work like the reinforcements thatare used with standard paper hole punches.
This kit includes a double sided (one side is for floppies (8 in.) and the other for mini-floppies (5 in.)) applicator.
