[comp.windows.news] NeWS framebuffer

jae@c-art.UUCP (Yukon Kid) (05/29/90)

In NeWS-makers mailing list:

  |We would like to run NeWS on a small (14" - 15") color monitor.
  |Sun does not appear to have such stuff. Is there anything available
  |from any other supplier ? How about NeWS Terminals ??

We sell an Australian-designed X11/NeWS terminal, the Osiris Technology 
GraphicServer.  It is a NeWS compatible box that you can buy your own 
monitor for.  It will display on any monitor with 75 ohm rgb inputs.  
The North American debut is taking place this week at UNIX'90 in 
Toronto, May 30, May 31, and June 1.  

We will be showing it in the Sun Microsystems booth.  Pricing is
roughly $5K US for the basic box - more details are available at the 
show.  I enclose a few specifications after my .signature.  Please mail 
me or call us after the show for more information.

-john

John Eadie    Computing Art Inc  Tel (416) 536-9951  FAX (416) 536-6252
Studio #303, 25 Liberty St, Toronto, CANADA .. jeadie@Sun.COM | jae@c-art.UUCP

`_The riddle_ does not exist' 6.5, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Wittgenstein




-% The GraphicServer %-  A fast, optionally hi-res, 
colour X11/NeWS terminal.


Software:

Software consists of X11R3 and OpenScript.  Work on 
X11R4 is now in progress.  

OpenScript does a Red Book implementation of PostScript with 
the exception of virtual memory semantics, lack of `banddevice', 
lack of `renderbands', and more generous stack limits.  `framedevice', 
`setmatrix', `setscreen' & `settransfer' _are_ implemented.  (For 
use with printers).  

OpenScript implements operators and type extensions in the NeWS 1.1 
Reference Manual.  However context switching is fully pre-emptive.
Memory management uses spare memory for font caching & off-screen
bit map retention.  There is garbage collection.  And a special 
file to read frame devices as byte streams for raster printer 
driving.  OpenScript uses floating point in most algorithms
until device space is addressed.

There is a built-in OPEN LOOK compliant window manager.  Full
outline fonts available at all sizes.  And ANSI terminal emulators.  
TCP, TELNET, FTP, are supported.


Hardware: 

NS32532 (8 MIPS).  NS32381 floating point.  Thin ethernet.  2 RS232 
ports.  Centronics port.  3 button mouse, mouse systems interface.  2Kb 
non-volatile memory.  4Mb RAM, expandable to 8Mb.  1Mb video memory, 
expandable to 2Mb.  8 bit colour, for now.  Standard broadcast 
format video capability.  Maximum video rate 120Mhz.  
Optional disk for PostScript storage or Unix.