[CLUE-Tech] Tape Drives - why?

[Angelo Bertolli]

>Just to give a general idea why I'm asking this question:  I'm finding that
>tape costs at least 50% more than IDE/ATA disk space, and is slower, and
>requires special software for backups, and is less reliable in terms of I/O,
>and requires the same special software for restores.  So, my thought is:
>big-ass Linux-based RAID + one hot-pluggable sATA / USB 2.0 / FireWire 800 +
>x discs for said hot-pluggable = fast, cheap, reliable backup system.  Seems
>to beat any tape-based system on all points...  Or am I missing something?
>  
>
I've gotten the impression that they're more reliable for long term 
storage--as in degredation.  Maybe I'm wrong.