sean@ukma.UUCP (Sean Casey) (09/10/85)
After reading the September issue of Byte magazine, I have decided
to get one of Steve Ciarcia's SB180 SBC's. (Pretty nice board!) I have
decided on the disk drives, and all of the related hardware but I still
haven't decided on a terminal. I am looking for something inexpensive, yet
not a piece of crap. I have seen ads for the Qume QVT-101 terminal and I'm
quite impressed at the features you get for the price (which is about $300
for a green screen and $315 for amber, mail order). My problem is that I
know of noone that has one or has even used one to get an opinion on it. I
thought this might be a good place to ask for a little info. So, does
anyone out there in net-land own one, use one, or know of anyone that
owns/uses one? I would be most appreciative of any info as to quality,
reliability, keyboard feel/layout or anything else that might be of
importance. Also, if anyone knows of another inexpensive terminal that
isn't bad, let me know...I'm all ears.
Thanks in advance,
Keith Hatfull
--
- Sean Casey UUCP: sean@ukma.UUCP or
- Department of Mathematics {cbosgd,anlams,hasmed}!ukma!sean
- University of Kentucky ARPA: ukma!sean@ANL-MCS.ARPAfwb@siemens.UUCP (09/11/85)
> I have seen ads for the Qume QVT-101 terminal and I'm > quite impressed at the features you get for the price ... > I would be most appreciative of any info as to quality, > reliability, keyboard feel/layout or anything else that might be of > importance. I used one for a while when I first came to work here. I ordered a different terminal as soon as I could. Quality: I was not impressed. Underlining from man caused ugly reverse video following the underlined text (this might have been a termcap problem). Standout mode had to be done in dim characters. The PF and arrow keys generated character sequences which could not be used with any local software. Reliability: Of the three in our group, one had a keyboard which did not always generate a character when you hit a key, and another died. The two remaining ones are living in the Home for Unwanted Terminals. Keyboard: Keys stick if you hit them off center. It felt crowded. Delete, backspace, and break keys are too close together. My fingers quickly became fatigued. Also see Reliability. Anything Else: The characters on the screen always seemed a little fuzzy. It does go to 19.2K bits per second. Other terminals: There is an inexpensive Wyse terminal which will hit 38.6K bits per second and emulate several terminals. I tried one out for a while one day and liked the keyboard even less than the Qume. If you are going to use a terminal a lot, then get a reliable one with a good screen and a comfortable keyboard, even if it is a little expensive. If you will play with it only a few hours a month, then the major factor will be price. ===================================================== Frederic W. Brehm (ihnp4!princeton!siemens!fwb) Siemens Research and Technology Laboratories =====================================================
RCONN@SIMTEL20.ARPA (Rick Conn) (09/12/85)
I feel that the WYSE-50 may be a nice candidate for you. I think the current list is on the order of $500, and it offers: o 16 string-programmable function keys (8 chars max, tho) o 80/132 column mode o emulation for several terminals (TVI910, ADM3, others) The TVI950 is also nice, but I think the price is higher. In contrast: o 11 string-programmable function keys (256 chars total, each key can be variable so total is not exceeded) o 80 column only o no emulation (TVI9xx compatable) o 4 screens of memory that you can switch between (save one screen, work on another, and flip back and forth) I own both, and I use the TVI950 most mainly because of the longer strings in the function keys and the multiple screens. I also have an SB180 and the interface is no problem (standard RS-232). The ZCPR3 TCAP (Terminal Capabilities data base) contains entries for over 50 terminals, and both the TVI950 and WYSE-50 are included, so all screen-oriented routines fall right into place. I don't remember if the Qume terminal you mentioned is there also, but it is easy to create new TCAP entries for other terminals if not. Rick Conn (author of ZCPR3) -------
mlsmith@NADC.ARPA (09/12/85)
At the last Trenton computer show the flea market had a goodly supply of ADM-3's, Televideo 910/920's, and a few DEC VT52's. These were generally well used, but allegedly in operating condition. The prices ranged from $75-$200. Another way to go is a Commodore 64, a $99 monochrome monitor, and modem (or null modem cable for local use). This is almost as much as the monitor, but you get a computer to use when it's not a terminal:-).
howarde@mmintl.UUCP (Howard Eglowstein) (09/15/85)
Our Tech. support group has scads of the Qume QVT-101 terminals. We looked for quite a while and bought these because of the good keyboard, nice screen and cheap price (about $300 or so). They have a good TV910 emulation mode as well. I think they've been just as if not more reliable than our VT100s.