UniDisk 3.5 write-protect bug

[drsmooth@relex.com (Edhel Iaur)]

I d/l'ed SMARTPORT.SHK (I don't remember where from), and it contained
a single file, SMARTPORT (BAS, 36 Blocks, Created 15-Jan-91, Modified
6-Sep-89 [dates don't sound right, but it's possible]).  I ran it on
my system (//c w/ 3.5 disk rev., (1) Unidisk, (1) Disk ][, 512K
MultiRam C card), and it told me:

This Smartport has the UniDisk 3.5 write-protect bug.  Eject this
disk, cover the write-protect hole, and don't ever put a
write-protected disk in this Smartport again."

Lines 9-27 are REM lines that say this:

 Smartport Commander
from Open-Apple 1/87
Additional bytes by
   John G. Thomas
  Ewing (NJ) Apple
  Users Group 8/89

Am I pessimistic in thinking I have a serious problem that can't be
remedied?  Do I now need to use backups of every 3.5" disk I use, to
protect me from myself?  Is this just a hoax?  Is this what
trashed/gave me errors on various 3.5" disks on various occasions (Is
it coincidence that said errors only occured on the Kodak Verbatim
disks I bought with my drive?)?  Can I fix this by exchanging my
UniDisk for another?  And what will happen in the next exciting issue
of ElfQuest!?  (Sorry, I just HAD to add that last one :) )
--
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-=37th Wisest Wizard Edhel Iaur=-              -=APPLE // FOREVER=-
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