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!)