mef@dalek.silvlis.com (Mary Ellen Foley) (02/03/90)
Twelve people responded to my request for information about Xerox workstations. Most people didn't indicate which workstation hardware they are using, so I can't give the rundown somebody asked for, about how many Altos and Stars are out there. Several people mentioned that they used the 1186/6085, and/or the 1108. * In general, people who use them for desktop publishing said they were the greatest thing on the market, and people who use(d) them for AI applications think they stink. There were 2 Lisp developers who said they "loved" the Xerox workstations, but the opposition was quite vocal. * People who did like the workstations generally liked the development environment and complained about lack of speed. * One person (who has my sympathy!) had a long list of horror stories about upgrades that never worked, paid-for SW that never arrived, etc. * Several people expressed concern that the management doesn't know what it's doing, at least as far as selling and supporting computers * Several people mentioned that Xerox is starting to put its software on the SPARC, and they thought that was a good idea (sigh...why doesn't anybody but ME really like *APOLLOS*!!?!?!) * A few Xerox employees wrote to say that Xerox is a good place to work. * A couple of people cited "The Xerox Star: A Retrospective", Jeff Johnson et al, IEEE Computer, Sept 1989. That turned out to be a VERY useful article. Some sample quotes (names withheld, most people didn't want their names mentioned) >> Xerox workstations are, as far as I can tell, just about dead. At least >> for AI applications; I suppose they still do okay in the word processing >> market, though I expect Macs are giving them a hard row to hoe there, too. >> The system is effortless to >> use and to learn to use: we have trained ... people to use our Xerox >> network as their primary office tool in an average of four hours of >> classroom time each. >> In summary, unless you are doing research at PARC or selling copiers, I would >> suggest a really close look at Xerox, unless you thrive on frustration. I don't >> think Xerox wants to sell computers. All the AI stuff from Envos is going over >> to Sun platforms now, anyway. I don't bet on the demand staying around for >> dedicated word processors either. >> A number cruncher she ain't. As a publishing platform it lacks only speed. >> The software however, is virtually idiot proof. >> In terms of hardware reliability, they're not so great. >> But the Xerox Interlisp environment is the best environment in the >> world, bar none, when it comes to software development. >> When putting your AI-glasses the 1186 is >> called A Lisp-machine, otherwise it is a plain workstation. It has come to >> age over the years and is no longer performance competitive, though. SUMMARY --> I took the job, and so I soon have a first-hand perspective. Thanks to all who responded, and especially to those who pointed me toward the IEEE Computer article, that was really great. mef -- WARNING: Opinions in posting are farther away than they appear.
lee@mrmoose.wbst128.xerox.com (Lee Moore) (02/06/90)
The Altos that were at the U. of Rochester went to the Computer Science
House (CSH) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). CSH is a specialty
dorm for those interested in computers.
Lee Moore -- Xerox Webster Research Center -- +1 716 422 2496
UUCP: {allegra, cornell, decvax, rutgers}!rochester!rocksanne!lee
Arpa Internet: Moore.Wbst128@Xerox.Com