Since the original version of DDS tape is basically just DAT tapes being used to store computer data, many of the commercially-available DDS drives could be re-flashed to allow them to read DAT as well. (Re-flashing was necessary to remove the software restriction that otherwise recognised DAT tapes and refused to read them).

I'm not going to post any links, but there's plenty of info online.

Indeed. Really, I was speaking to nice, open computers. Did what people expected out of the box.