info-mac@utcsrgv.UUCP (info-mac) (04/27/84)
Date: 26 Apr 84 16:02:39 EST From: Charles Hedrick <uw-beaver!HEDRICK@RUTGERS.ARPA> Subject: request for comments To: info-mac@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA We are looking into using 70 Macintoshes or Lisas this fall for our first three courses. I would like to mention the outline of what we intend to do, to see if anyone knows of any gaping holes in our plans. As we have no experience with the new software, it is hard for me to know how far to believe what the sales folks say. (Not that I don't trust them, understand - I'm just not sure *they* know.) Note that this must be in operation on Sept. 1, 1984. It is not acceptable to use technology that will become available "Real Soon Now". As there is no network available yet, we will use standalone units. The students will use the base unit, with a single floppy. Apple is working on some arrangement whereby students can buy a floppy with software on it for a reasonable price. Question #1: Do they need anything more? Does a floppy with Mac Pascal or Mac Assembler have enough free space that they can keep a couple of programs around. Currently we are planning to use Lisas, as we hear that the memory on the current Macintoshes is still small. We want to be able to handle programs up to 10 or 20 lineprinter pages. Question #2: Are we right to be using Lisas? Question #3: Can we really run Macintosh software on a Lisa, and will it be able to take advantage of the 512K of memory? The systems will be in groups of about 12. We would like to supply one unit with a printer. Question #4: What printer? we are just interested in listings of our programs. We would like a printer that will stand up to heavy use, but it doesn't need to handle fancy graphics. Will the software support any printers other than the official Apple ones? Or are those OK? Has anyone played with Mac Pascal or Assembler? Are there any horrible things about them that should make us have second thoughts (realizing that the alternative is probably an IBM PC or equivalent). -------