=== Release notes for ftape-0.9.10 ===

So here's another release of the QIC-117 floppy tape driver.
Two reasons prevented me of calling this code BETA yet:

- Implementing new features, improving the error recovery and
  removing bugs I've changed a lot of code again (I hope this
  was the last time, can't promise anything though ;-).
- I haven't got the slightest idea of how many people are using
  the driver successfully (I mostly get problem reports) :-(

I reckon this version will trigger a new flood of problem reports.
Beside knowing about these and working on them, I would like to
know how many of you are successfully using the driver (so I can
see if it's worth the effort ;-).
So if you're happy with the driver, send me a postcard saying so
and mention the driver version and tape drive you're using.

Bas.
----

email:  Bas Laarhoven <bas@vimec.nl>
smail:  Bas Laarhoven, Mr. v. Boemellaan 39,
        5237 KA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

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New features:

o  Full support for file marks while remaining QIC-40/80 compatible.
   All (?) mtio options are implemented so it's possible to store
   multiple (e.g. tar) files on one tape and read them back at random.
o  The tape is stopped when the dataflow stagnates. This allows creation
   of compressed tapes with much less overhead (and tape wear).

Other changes:

o  The tracing level is no longer set with `mt fsf' but with `mt fsr' now!
o  If using the gcc-2.4.5 compiler, due to a bug in the compiler you'll
   need to set a flag in the Makefile!
o  Distributed the code over a new set of files.
o  Rewritten Makefile using dependency file (need `make dep')!
o  Improved trace readability although less efficient now.
o  Tape unreferenced status doesn't abort ftape_open anymore. This allows
   formatting and other non-read/write commands on a unformatted tape.
o  Prepared code for single sector read/write.
o  Rewritten interrupt service routine from scratch.
o  Extended report_vendor_id code to recognize Iomega drives.
o  Fixed bug in fdc-io.c incorrectly handling overrun errors.
o  Increased retry count for writes.

Still to do:

o  Integrate faster ecc code.
o  Integrate high-speed-controller code.
o  Support for 1 Mbps floppydisk controllers.
o  Handle my mail backlog ;-)

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