4rst@unmvax.cs.unm.edu (Forrest Black) (10/03/89)
I just could not resist a comment on the <Is the XT dead> thread.
Allow me to present my opinions:
The PC and XT introduced many people to everyday computing in a way that
CPM and Macs could not: IBM (i.e. Charlie Chaplin, M*A*S*H as promo).
In other words, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
It has been suggested that IBM did not choose a more powerful processor
than the 8088 (at that time) because they did not wish the PC to compete
with their low end business-oriented systems.
When properly programmed, even an XT can present a much more graceful
and helpful user interface than is possible with a VAX and a VT100.
No Mac flames, please.
Yes, the 8088 is obsolete. This does not prevent people from asking
me to upgrade their 2-floppy PC's to XT's. Working on an 8088
machine after using an AT or 386 is like computing in Jello. But
many of the users I have worked with just wouldn't know the difference.
Why buy a 12MHz 286 4Mb RAM 80Mb 28ms HD system (a cheapy, today)
to print mailing labels?
I think that much of the current >=20MHz 386 hoopla is just technophiles
enjoying their new toys and keeping up with the Mips-Joneses. My
apologies to those who have serious computing needs and cannot afford
a real workstation.
RIP, XT. The magazines have almost killed you. You shall go the way of
the PDP-11. Endearing to some, shunned by the masses, you will live in
poverty until your filter caps decay.
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