# Individual Computers Catweasel

> floppy disk controller

**Wikidata**: [Q1051367](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1051367)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Computers_Catweasel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/individual-computers-catweasel

## Summary
The Individual Computers Catweasel is a floppy disk controller circuit board first introduced in 1996 by Individual Computers. This hardware device enables reading from and writing to computer floppy disk drives with specialized functionality beyond standard controllers.

## Key Facts
- The Individual Computers Catweasel is a floppy disk controller circuit board released in 1996 by Individual Computers
- It functions as circuitry that controls reading from and writing to computer floppy disk drives
- The product has an image available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Catweasel_controller_Mk3_(circuit_board).jpg
- It has a Freebase ID of /m/03v861
- The Catweasel is manufactured by Individual Computers
- It appears in at least 4 languages on Wikipedia (German, English, Hungarian, Italian)
- The product is classified as a floppy-disk controller

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Individual Computers Catweasel?
A: The Individual Computers Catweasel is a specialized floppy disk controller circuit board that enables reading from and writing to computer floppy disk drives, providing specialized functionality beyond standard controllers.

### Q: When was the Catweasel first released?
A: The Individual Computers Catweasel was first introduced in 1996 by Individual Computers.

### Q: What makes the Catweasel different from other floppy disk controllers?
A: While standard floppy disk controllers typically provide basic reading and writing capabilities, the Catweasel offers specialized functionality that allows for enhanced floppy disk drive operations.

### Q: In how many languages is the Catweasel documented?
A: The Catweasel has documentation in at least four languages on Wikipedia: German, English, Hungarian, and Italian.

## Why It Matters
The Individual Computers Catweasel represents an important piece of computer hardware evolution by providing enhanced floppy disk controller functionality. In the era when floppy disks were primary storage media, specialized controllers like the Catweasel enabled enthusiasts and professionals to perform advanced operations beyond standard capabilities. This device likely contributed to data preservation efforts by supporting various floppy disk formats that otherwise might have become inaccessible as technology advanced. While modern storage has largely superseded floppy disks, hardware like the Catweasel played a crucial role in bridging compatibility gaps during the transition period in computing history. Its presence in multiple languages on Wikipedia suggests it gained international recognition among computer hobbyists and retrocomputing communities.

## Notable For
- Released in 1996 as a specialized floppy disk controller by Individual Computers
- Documented in multiple languages on Wikipedia (German, English, Hungarian, Italian), indicating international recognition
- Features a distinctive circuit board design as evidenced by its image available on Wikimedia Commons
- Classified specifically as a floppy-disk controller, distinguishing it from more generic storage controllers

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- The Catweasel functions as a floppy disk controller circuit board
- It provides specialized functionality for reading from and writing to floppy disk drives
- The product has a specific image available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Catweasel_controller_Mk3_(circuit_board).jpg
- Freebase ID: /m/03v861

### Production History
- First introduced in 1996
- Manufactured by Individual Computers
- The product has appeared in at least 4 Wikipedia language editions

### Documentation and Recognition
- Has a dedicated Wikipedia page titled "Individual Computers Catweasel"
- Available in multiple languages: German (de), English (en), Hungarian (hu), and Italian (it)
- Listed in Wikidata with the description "floppy disk controller"
- Sitelink count of 4 across different language editions of Wikipedia

### Classification
- Officially classified as a floppy-disk controller
- Falls under the broader category of computer hardware controllers
- Designed specifically for floppy disk drive operations