[comp.laser-printers] Theoretical Machines

V2002A@TEMPLEVM.BITNET (10/03/87)

Hi,

     Vince Pugliese (apollo@ecf.toronto.edu) describes a theoretical
machine that incorporates a laser printer, cpu and hard disk.  Such a
beast would require some innovative soft/firmware to control it.
Any PC could spool its program load requests to the server just like
a print request.  The problem gets complicated when the program needs
additional data from the disk.  If the printer is interpreting Post-
script at the time, then response time may become unacceptable.
     A better suggestion (already in use?) would be intelligent
workstation software for a network of PCs with a large central server
connected to a standard laser printer.
     A few weeks ago a suggestion appeared on unix-wizards about a
cpu with 300 meg of memory and no hard disk.  Should a new discussion
group be created to discuss the future of computer HW?  I don't know
if one exists already.  JUNTO%UMSLVMA.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU might be
a good place for it since they are a new promising server node that
are open to suggestions about new topics.

          Andy Wing      V2002A%TEMPLEVM.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU