pjd@pjd.CES.CWRU.Edu (dr. funk) (07/27/89)
Usually I avoid these debates about "this machine versus that machine,"
but I'd like to add my two cents about NeXT.
About affordability. Our university is going "whole hog" with a campus-
wide network, etc. It has arranged deals on Mac's and an AT&T PC-compatible.
"Affordability" can buy you mass quantities of adequate personal computing
(e.g., word processing, simple simulations, courseware (if it ever really
materializes, etc.) It is clear that the Mac interface and *DOS have about
run their evolutionary course. For that matter, the standard Mac and *DOS
platforms have about run their evolutionary course. (Frankly, I'm not
impressed solely by incremental increases in processor speed, e.g.,
8088 -> 8086 -> 80286 -> 80386 -> 80486 ad nauseam.)
About productivity. I perceived a definite increase in productivity as
I progressed through certain platforms and work environments from TSS/360,
through TOPS-10/20, Unix and even GEM and of course the Mac human interface.
All system interfaces have warts and features, advantages and disadvantages.
For certain types of work, I find the Mac interface to be superior. Other
types of work, nyet! Luckily, I live in toyland and can use what I need
when I need it. [BTW, I am writing this in microemacs, on a Sun without
using suntools, NeWS, etc. Flames to /dev/null.]
About NeXT. I've just started thinking about NeXT again, now that 1.0
is really around the corner, etc. This platform has the *potential* to
provide the next big delta in productivity thanks to NeXT Step, Mach,
TCP/IP, networking ability and availability of large quantities of mass
storage.
Caution here -- Any university/educational institution should seriously
evaluate this machine for no other reason than to do an A-B-C-D test
(A=Mac, B=PC, C=Sun/DEC/HP/Apollo, D=NeXT.) Hey, who says we can't steal
ideas from NeXT?
On the basis of platform, a NeXT is competetive with respect to a
"comparably equipped" A-B-C platform. [I know it is expensive.] Certain
features, like sound, are superior.
More caution -- Should you buy mass quantities? Wait and see. People
buy productivity (and compatibility, etc.) The jury is still out.
paul drongowski
case western reserve university
cleveland, ohio 44106
paul j. drongowski usenet: {decvax,sun,att}!cwjcc!pjd!pjd
case western reserve university csnet: pjd@alpha.ces.cwru.edu