Well, assuming you're at least partially serious, SOMETHING's
got to move, and the rotational motion for all it's data
and magnetic complexities, is a relatively simple motion
mechanically. Compared to linear motion, anyhow. What
happens when the "linear head array" comes to the end of its
track? How do you mount it and keep it aligned? These
are much more complex questions mechanically than rotational
motion and a swivel arm (another rotational motion).
I've often wondered about the angular momentum of these
high-speed screamers myself. Suppose you had a server
with a couple of dozen 50,000 rpm disks in it? If you
kicked it over, it would probably precess through the
wall <GGG>. Another hazard for California residents.
I remember many (really many) years ago seeing high-speed
drums in a Lockheed computer room. These drums were maybe
a foot in diameter (maybe more), 2-3 feet long, and rotated
at 3750 rpm (or about that). Big, heavy, drums. I remember
wondering what would happen if one broke loose. I was told
later that one did break a mount and tear the computer room
to ribbons. Off-shift, fortunately, nobody hurt.
System crashes nowadays ain't what they used to be <GGGG>. |
