catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  DECtape
       
           A reel of magnetic tape about 4 inches
          in diameter and one inch wide.  Unlike today's macrotapes,
          microtape drivers allowed random access to the data, and
          therefore could be used to support file systems and even for
          swapping (this was generally done purely for hack value,
          as they were far too slow for practical use).  DECtape was a
          variant on LINCtape.
       
          In their heyday DECtapes were used in pretty much the same
          ways one would now use a floppy disk: as a small, portable
          way to save and transport files and programs.
       
          (1995-03-16)