Raw vs Block Tape I/O - (nf)

[obrien%rand-unix at sri-unix.UUCP]

        Back in the days when a big UNIX system was a fully loaded 11/45
with RK05 disk drives, TU10 magtape and TU56 DECtape, it was not at all
uncommon to have a stripped-down UNIX on a DECtape for emergency use when
the root pack became corrupted and a disk drive broke.  Run off DT0, swap
on DT1.  It was slow but really tended to save lives in emergencies.