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Wednesday, March 04, 1998
Tuesday, Iomega closed at $9 3/16, unchanged.
TODAY'S RECAP: Not much activity on the Iomega board yesterday although some posters continued to look at the Micron and Dell announcements -- Micron making a Zipped line Zip-optional and Dell including the Zip as standard on a new business line. Atraydes provided some commentary on Iomega's role in storage versus the secure (or non-secure) Internet option.
Enjoy!
INDEX: Use the Search or Find feature of your word processor to locate
the article number (Find: 1++, 3++, etc.)
1++ Sunraydoc reports on MicroWarehouse Zipped models.
2++ Steve24601 ponders the importance of the Dell announcement.
3++ Atraydes responds to the notion of Internet security and storage.
Recap written and posts compiled by TMF Weekly.
Edited and mailed by TMF Selena.
Kudos? Gripes? Questions? Let us know.
As always, the following posts represent the thoughts of our contributors,
not those of The Motley
Fool.
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And now, the Best of the Board...Started 9:00pm ET 3/2/98.
1+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject: $99 Internal Zips
Date: 3/2/98 10:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Sunraydoc
Microwarehouse lists a number of OEM's with an internal Zip for $99, plus a $29.95 installation charge, disk not included:
- Compaq Deskpro series.
- Hewlett-Packard Brio: $879-$1128; Advanced Businees Models more.
- IBM PC300: $899-$1369.
- AcerPower Business Multimedia series: $979-$1279.
- Microwarehouse's own full line of PC's.
Each ad carries the Zip Built In logo, with accompanying information about the $99 Add-a-Zip option.
For now, these programs offer a key tie-in with the Zip ad campaign. Where Zip isn't standard, the consumer can easily stipulate a built-in Zip with many machines when ordering. You'll notice that many of these aren't top of the line machines, but models aimed at the average consumer in and near that magic sub-$1000 price point.
2+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject: Re: Dell Offers Zip Built-In
Date: 3/3/98 1:58 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Steve24601
I have not read all of the posts on this thread, so pardon me if this already has been written.....
- Dell's daily web sales is over 4 million (the last I remember), so we're talking big bucks and big unit volume.
- If you go to Dell's website, (http://www.dell.com) you will find that the offering is $99 for internal zip on Optiplex line (the standard deal around e-town)
- On Dell's site, if you look at the home PC line (Dell dimension xps) the Zip "option" is already checked off - so this must be a "standard" SKU. As many of you know Dell is one of the true Build To Order shops (BTO) and has quite a few "standard" options. Kinda sounds like a new car dealership....I mean "airconditioning is a standard option" or "passenger side airbags are a standard option with the LX model of GM's new blah blah blah". so this is a bit of zen koan - is it a standard "check box" or is it a "pre-selected option"? I don't know and really don't care.
- On the Dimension line for home, zip is $99 plus 2 zip disks or $79 with one zip disk. same for the dimension line for business (last I looked).
- Getting zip built in on a PURE business machine in my mind is a great feather in IOM's hat. Optiplex is NOT a machine for home. There are no amenities (soundcards, speakers) and on most models, built in ethernet. To me, this indicates demand on the corporate side which has been a worry of mine. I did identify a while back that LAN, WAN, and RAS present IOM with challenges. It makes little sense to have a zip or a floppy when you've got ethernet. That said, there is the reality of PC use. LAN storage is not endless and LAN access is not boundless. Zip is ideal for safe and secure storage and transfer to other PCs. I'm not gonna preach to the choir on this, but Dell's introduction of Zip on the corporate desktop encourages me.
- Bottom line - more Zips will be sold.
- Caveat and disclaimer: I own some Dell stock so some check Dell's site out for yourself.
3+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject: Re: Security and The Net
Date: 3/3/98 3:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Atraydes
Right now you can dial into many companies' computers. That being the case, security is an issue. A variety of measures are taken to reduce the risk of a hacker. That does not make them perfectly secure, though it seems it makes them secure enough.
First, it is easy for companies to isolate computers containing sensitive data by simply not connecting them to modem, and using IPX only on the secure LAN. Second, the fact that risks exist currently does not mean that people will engage in even riskier behaviour.
Remember that hardware can be incorporated to ensure security. I have a buddy that works on a database for Amgen. He has a card that generates a password is syncronized with the dial-up site he calls. The password changes every 15 minutes or so. I think he also has to have another card plugged into his computer as well. (If he doesn't, I know that systems that use them exist.)
This doesn't stop people from intercepting the data on the fly (while it is being downloaded across a *very* public wire. Encryption can stop that, but the US Gov opposses strong encryption (40 bit keys are child's play).
I realize that securty and speed are issues. That does not mean these issues cannot be worked out. The fun thing about technology is how one man's total and utter fantasy can become reality. I remember when my buddy (the same on I referred to above) upgraded his modem to 1200 baud, half-duplex...how things have changed.
Agreed. But this lacks some very key economic and social supports.
- Remote storage will cost more than local storage - I can buy a tape drive and tapes for under $250, or $6.94 a month for the life of the drive (about three years). No on-line service is going to cost that little. Zip storage is even cheaper.
- Local storage is local - I can put my hands on my data when I need it. No delays, no surprises. The data is secure, and with a little effort, nothing short of Breaking & Entering (the old-fashioned kind, on-site) or a valid search warrant will divulge it.
- Backup is quick and easy - Ditto and Zip drives are child's play to set up. No high-speed phone lines needed
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End Report. Posts covered through 9:00pm ET 3/3/98.
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