rhyde@ucrmath.ucr.edu (randy hyde) (01/15/91)
I'm sure you're wondering "what on earth is this guy talking about
Macworld Expo here for. This isn't a mac group."
Of course, some of you may be wondering what macworld expo is.
It's a computer show dedicated (obviously) to Macs (and to a lesser
degree, NeXT Machines).
Okay, what does this have to do with the PC532? Plenty, actually.
The Mac and the NeXT are the only mainstream machines (millions availble)
which include a SCSI bus as standard equipment. Therefore, there are lots
of SCSI peripherals at a MacIntosh show. One of my prime goals was to locate
some SCSI peripherals which might work with the PC532. I found several
promising devices.
First, an outfit called Aura Systems Incorporated ((1-800-365-AURA) makes
a color display adapter which connects to SCSI. It's really intended for
low-end Macs which don't have a color display, but if you write your own
drivers you can control it from the PC532. It incorporates a TMS 32010 chip
on board with lots of programmable resolutions. Prices start at $695 (retail)
for the box. Great way to add a console to your machine.
There were no less than four boxes available that let you hook a SCSI up to
an ethernet line. Approximate costs were around $500. Nuvotech makes one
as do several others.
There were lots of floppy drives for Macs and NeXT machines running off the
SCSI port. I didn't get any info on these, but there were so many that I
figured it would be easy to locate them in the future if I really wanted one.
>> The GEM << One device, to be available RSN, was a neat device from
Orchid (the people who make video boards and accellerators for the PC). It's
a device called MacPort which lets you stick two serial and one parallel
(PC compatible) port on the SCSI bus. Should cost about $500. With a little
work you could get this device working with Appletalk/localtalk since it uses
the Zilog 8530 serial controller chip.
GenoVation Technologies makes a device called the "serial box" which lets you
hook an IBM AT or XT compatible keyboard to a serial port. It's really
intended for laptops, but it should work on the PC532 just fine.
Logitech makes several three-button mice which interface via the serial port.
Perfect for X windows.
Geeze, now all I need is for my parts kit to arrive and I can go broke in
nothing flat!
*** Randy Hyde