2026-08-31 11:53 UTC
Most systems I used either did not use tape labels, or could optionally use them with special utility software. In IBM operating systems, they were used by default, but could be disabled if desired..
Previously I'd seen some technical details about the format of labels, but didn't have a solid understanding of how they were used. Now I'm surprised that they were less common in non-IBM environments.
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Replies (1)
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@brouhaha@mastodon.social 2026-08-31 11:57
An earlier tape label system existed on 7-track tape used on the 709/7090/7094 mainframes, handled by IBSYS IOCS. I'm not certain whether it was used on the earlier 704 mainframe, or the similar 7040/7044. Those, and the earlier 701, were all "scientific" computers. 3/