[comp.windows.x] Should I buy an X terminal

kelley@.uucp (Dan E. Kelley) (09/06/89)

INTRODUCTION: I'm am too poor to buy even a baby sun3.  And I'm scared
of being a system administrator of my own sun (ie, if I do that, I'll
never get tenure).  But I'm trying to do science on a CRT terminal,
and this can't go on much longer ...  I need decent graphics to see my
data!

QUESTION: Should I buy an X terminal to connect to the remote Sun
4/280 I use?  This sounded like an ideal solution until I was told
today that X is a changing `standard', and that I might suffer a risk
of my terminal becoming obsolete before it's delivered to the
boondocks here in Nova Scotia.  So how 'bout it, X fans: 
 (1) is an X terminal a `good thing' or a bad choice for a dumb
scientist who would like a workstation-style environment without
getting a workstation?
 (2) are there some terminals with a software system which would avoid
me buying new ROMS?

REPLYING: If you think your advice is useful for the net, please post;
otherwise, please email to me.  I don't want to start a `garbage war'
like the idiotic `signature' debate on the newusers group.  Thanks for
any help!

Dan E. Kelley
Dept. of Oceanography, Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA, B3H 4J1 (902)424-1694
email:   kelley@cs.dal.ca  --or--  {uunet watmath}!dalcs!kelley




-- 
Dan E. Kelley
Dept. of Oceanography, Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA, B3H 4J1 (902)424-1694
email:   kelley@cs.dal.ca  --or--  {uunet watmath}!dalcs!kelley

rws@EXPO.LCS.MIT.EDU (Bob Scheifler) (09/07/89)

    I was told today that X is a changing `standard', and that I might suffer
    a risk of my terminal becoming obsolete before it's delivered to the
    boondocks here in Nova Scotia.

Sounds like whoever told you that was trying to sell you something besides X.
The X protocol seen by the X terminal is *not* a changing standard.

    are there some terminals with a software system which would avoid
    me buying new ROMS?


At least one vendor ships a version of the terminal that has its code
downloaded, rather than in PROMs.

AXTBF@ALASKA.BITNET ("Tim Friest - programmer at large") (09/07/89)

There are several alternatives to workstations if you want X-windows support
but don't want to pay 10 to 20K for it.  I know the Amiga has X-windows
available for around 3 to 4K (this includes A2000, hard disk, ethernet for
TCP/IP, X-windows software, etc.).  Since the screen resolution is only
640x400, it won't look as nice as a MicroVAX or Sun, but if you can live with
that then it might be worth looking into.
Macs, IBM/PClones, etc. also have or will have X-windows...

disclaimer: my opinions and biases are my opinions and biases (and I'm right!)