Modus,
Other than minor points which prolly aren't worth quibbling over, I think we agree .. at least, on the main issues .. that SCSI offers better performance & IDE offers better value.
You seem to be of the opinion that there's an absolute, linear model for calcualting value. I think you call it a 'fundamental economic rule'. Admittedly, I'm no Economics major, but I did have an Economics class, which I very much enjoyed (got an A), in which I recall discussing how each person views value differently.
I remember choices were made by individuals .. depending on their particular needs, their ability to pay (disposable income?), and a host of other factors. If I get some extra time, I may dig up the book and quote you chapter & verse.
So you are saying that your model of value is not your own creation? .. that you didn't make it up yourself? .. that it is a universally-accepted model? Might you have any references to this universally-accepted model? Just one would be fine.
Fresh water freezes at 32 degrees F, 0 degrees C .. that's universally accepted. I could find a reference for that. If you could find a ref for your univerally-accepted model, that would be good. Otherwise, it seems like your trying to say your model of value is superior to everyone else's. You see how ppl might have a problem with that?
It's my opinion that there are too many variables associated with the purchase of any single product, and with every buyer, to use a single model to evaluate the optimal choice for every situation.
I'm curious what SCSI set up you have, how long you've had it, if you have it now, and your reasoning for the purchase. Do u mix IDE drives with your SCSI set-up?
To be honest, I'm having trouble seeing value-minded Modus Uriah Heep booting for a SCSI drive. I don't find it impossible, merely difficult .. VERY difficult.
I'm curious where you came up with your figures for reliability .. think u used 95%. Did you simply pull them out of your hat? .. do you have supporting references? Most people use MTBF specs when talking about reliability. Warranties are also an indicator. You mention neither.
I'm surprised at the problem you seem to have with the idea of a small (less expensive) SCSI boot drive to run the OS, apps, & swap/page file - where it'll do the most good - and a phatty IDE drive for mass storage. We obviously approach SCSI from diff angles.
You focus on VALUE, but I typically dialogue with ppl who already know they want the performance that SCSI offers, that they do the things that will take advantage of it (typically video editing), and can afford it .. (or at least claim to). These ppl always already have their own systems, which means they already have an IDE drive - at least one, sometimes two.
We try to find ways to maximize SCSI's perf without paying any more than we have to. I see SCSI's primary disadvantage as its co$t/GB ratio, compared to IDE drives. Since 9GB is plenty of space to run both W2K, WinMe, all your apps, & even a distro of Linux .. it seems obvious (to me) that the best approach is to take the best of both worlds .. and go with a small (9GB, maybe 18GB, certainly not 36GB), fast (10- or 15Kprm) SCSI boot drive, and keep the IDE drive(s) for cheap mass storage. Again, what's best (for the individual) depends the individual.
For the person who (already) knows he wants to upgrade to SCSI performance, do you disagree?
Another point that might be worth touching on .. is that, the cost of the SCSI adapter is a one-time deal, and that SCSI adapters have excellent longevity. For example, I still have/use the U2W adapter that I purchased >2 yrs ago. Seeing that even the fastest drive can barely sustain 40MB/s, it won't be the the limiting factor in my system any time soon.
That limits subsequent purchases of SCSI HHDs & optical drives to the price of the drive. I admit that IDE still holds the value ground, but, with the price of the adapter out of the way, not as much in its favor. And since SCSI is a multitasking interface, it will better utilize a 2nd (& 3rd) drive better than IDE (taking even more performance ground from IDE). Ppl could run their OS from one drive & their apps from the other. With 3 drives, they could move their swap/page file to a separate drive.
Don't jump up on your value soap-box, cuz I'm not challenging IDE's value supremacy. My point is merely that the SCSI interface holds advanatges greater than seek/access times & drive reliability.
No one challenges that IRQs are DESIGNED to be shared .. but in REALITY, every time you add an IRQ, you increase your chances of an IRQ conflict. I just saw a post
HERE that mentioned an IRQ conflict. Have you never had a IRQ conflict?.
Re: << Are you saying that *every* person who buys a SCSI adapter & a SCSI device makes a poor buying decision? >>
Not quite. What I am saying is that, given today's price/performance data, anyone who buys, new, a SCSI adapter and a SCSI hard drive as opposed to an IDE hard drive, for the purposes of practical use, has made a less than optimal buying decision.
Admirable tact, and extra points for the tap dance.
🙂
Re: Ah, but you make it sound like there's room for disagreement on value. There isn't. Practical buying is practical buying. If that's what you're doing, value is king.
I disagree. Are you saying that the (specific) needs & the (specific) situation of the buyer has no impact on the merits of purchasing decision? A home well-suited for a family with 2 kids might not be prudent for a family with 5 kids. Maybe one kid has a limiting disability.
My point is that each buying decision is unique, with unique factors, and that no one single model can be accurately applied to ALL buying decisions. Every family has a myriad of details that need to be addressed. The same goes with every house/home.
Failure to address these unique factors - for both the product & the buyer - will lead to a 'less-than-optimal' buying decision. A hard drive is not a house, but the same principles apply .. (on a smaller scale).
Re: << Have you ever actually owned a SCSI drive or controller? >>
Absolutely. But that's irrelevant.
I disagree on the grounds that knowledge based on experience is superior to that based (merely) on intellect & reasoning .. which is why, unlike cirriculum as an undergrad, where they want you to *learn* everything possible, as a graduate student, they want you to *do* everything possible ..
.. which is also why employers put more stock in what someone has *done* (resume), over what they've *learned*. You don't need to have a SCSI system to put in your two cents, but if you want your opinions to have any *credibility* .. and you want to be able to discuss the nuances of the interface .. you need some first hand experience. How much credibility do you ascribe to the tactical opinions of a general who's never been in a war?
Re: multitasking is a nebulous advantage that cannot be objectively demonstrated as better than current IDE systems which feature DMA busmastering.
Are you denying that IDE is a single-tasking interface? Busmastering has nothing to do with multitasking.
Re: << Value is a personal thing. >>
Nope. Value is objective and absolute.
I disagree again .. and it seems that so do both Merriam & Webster. I looked up the word
VALUE at dictionary.com
1st definition is:
1. An amount, as of goods, services, or money, CONSIDERED to be a fair and suitable equivalent for something else; a fair price or return.
I ask you .. WHO is doing the CONSIDERING in that definition? Some 'fundamental economic rule'? .. or a PERSON? There's nothing "objective & absolute" about people.
The 3rd def'n = Worth in usefulness or importance TO THE POSSESSOR; utility or merit: the value of an education.
Notice the words: TO THE POSSESSOR .. again, no mention of any 'fundamental economic rule' .. only references to judgments made by people .. which are anything but "objective & absolute".
There are more examples I could use, but my point is made.
So now it seems like you're not only determining what value is for everybody, but that you also want to define our vocabulary.
Have you read David Copperfield? If so, what did you think of Uriah Heep?
🙂