[SIGCIS-Members] query re: Early UNIX distribution tape formats

[Brian L. Stuart]

My own experience only goes back to 6th Edition.
As I recall it came on a standard 2400' 1/2"
9 track tape.  The 6th Edition "Setting Up"
document describes it as:

"3. The UNIX software on magtape or disk pack.

"If you are set up to do it, it might be a good idea
immediately to make a copy of the disk or tape to
guard against disaster.  The tape contains 12100
512-byte blocks followed by a single file mark; only
the first 4000 512-byte blocks on the disk are
significant.

" The system as distributed corresponds to three
fairly full RK packs.  The first contains the binary
version of all programs, and the source for the
operating system itself; the second contains all
remaining source programs; the third contains
manuals intended to be printed using the formatting
programs roff or nroff.  The 'binary' disk is enough
to run the system, but you will almost certainly
want to modify some source programs."

The document then goes on to describe how
to boot from the tape into a tiny copy program
that allows you to copy from the tape to disk
packs.

My recollection of the 4BSDs was that they also
came on standard 1/2 inch tapes, though the
way the data was organized and the installation
process were different.  If I look hard enough,
I think I've got a copy of the 4.3BSD tapes in
the basement.

BLS







On Friday, July 30, 2021, 8:16:52 PM EDT, Acker, Amelia <aacker at ischool.utexas.edu> wrote: 







Dear colleagues,

I am researching early uses of magnetic tape for sharing and storing information with minicomputers, especially DEC machines. I am trying to gather stories where magnetic tapes are used to share software and data.




I’ve been learning about how Ken Thompson developed UNIX using the PDP-7 and later installing version 6 on a PDP-11 at Berkeley. According to Salus’ Quarter Century of UNIX, around 1978, Bill Joy begins offering a BSD distribution tapes described as '800 bpi magnetic tape, 1200 foot reel at $50'. Other accounts also mention "the 50 fixes" diff tape and Bell’s lawyers demanding licensees destroy the diff tape. I’m having trouble finding more information about the specifications of these tape formats. 




Does anyone know what format(s) these early UNIX distribution tapes or would be? I would like to confirm that they were magnetic tape (and not paper?), and if any were DECtape or another kind of data tape format. Any ideas? Or good place to look for confirmation?




I would be grateful for any sources you can point me too. 

Thanks, 
Amelia  






Amelia Acker, Assistant Professor


Director, Critical Data Studies Lab
The University of Texas at Austin ​| School of Information 
http://www.ameliaacker.com/







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