3M Diskette Reference Manual (1983) [pdf]
15 comments
·October 27, 2025billfor
It's interesting that the index hole is not on y-axis, if it is actually used to allow operations. I used all my SS 5.25" as DS just by flipping them I think, and they just worked. You weren't supposed to do that, but all the SS diskettes were coated on the other side, so you just fliped it and it would work, but it wouldn't be certified for that use case.
teddyh
From what I heard, the index hole was not used except by extremely old systems; i.e. IBM PCs never used them.
zkmon
Includes a bit about manufacturing process and disk writing as well. Amazing!
vincheezel
That’s the first time I’ve ever read the measurement “microinches”
summa_tech
You see it used sometimes for plating thickness, for instance gold plating on PCBs or connectors.
commandersaki
Back when things came with real documentation.
mrblampo
This is pretty cool
pilaf
I get a 403 error. Any mirrors?
glxxyz
Check the diskette for physical damage on the recording surface and at the hub centerhole.
BoorishBears
The liner inside the jacket cartridge is a special-purpose, non-woven, highly-durable fabric... so I'd be surprised if there was any physical damage.
kalleboo
Same here. Even going directly to the front page it's a 403.
Looks like it's on the Internet Archive https://web.archive.org/web/20241104214425/https://retrocmp....
Brian_K_White
worked for me so idk
For all of computing eternity, the only person I've ever heard refer to it as a "diskette" is icon-lady Susan Kare.