A Big Minus for ZipPlus

Owners of Iomega’s ZipPlus drives run the risk of "compromising the integrity" of their data unless they follow Iomega’s revised system compatibility guidelines. The ZipPlus features the capability to detect whether the drive is connected to a SCSI or parallel port using a special blue AutoDetect cable. Failure to use that cable, or use of "any cable converter or gender changer," or use within a multiple-device SCSI chain, could cause system incompatibilities and data loss. Iomega is also specifying that the ZipPlus not be used on any PowerBook, regardless of the cable. What’s next, a requirement that users store the ZipPlus in a cool, dark place away from loud noises? At best, these revised compatibility guidelines indicate a major lapse in testing; at worst, they’re a blatant disregard for reality. Either way, we hope to see Iomega provide a technical solution to these problems quickly.