goutal (02/07/83)
Well, I've gotten 10 replies right away. 7 complained the fan noise was a big lose. 3 noted products that had been designed without fans to avoid this: Heath H8 computer and H18 terminal blit (I've heard of it, but dunno what it is) Ann Arbor Ambassador terminal The machines that got the most bad marks were HP terminals and the IBM PC. 1 complained of RFI ruining stereo-FM reception. 1 noted that the Ann Arbor terminal's flyback whine was way up above audible, so it's a win on both counts. This is just an early summary. I suspect I'll get more over time. I also suspect a lot of people are bothered by fan noise without knowing it. -- Kenn (decvax!)goutal
dag (02/08/83)
Fan noise is one thing, but the flyback transformer whine bothers some more than others. There are some of us who for some reason or another have been "Blessed" with the ability to hear well above the normal audible frequencies. To us, those ultrasonic alarm systems are not only audible, they are painful. So are low cost (and some expensive) color televisions, video terminals, and though I can't figure out why, modems. Maybe someone should work on a way to make a CRT that does not require an audible flyback transformer. I for one don't watch color television (or much B&W for that matter) and boycot stores that have ultrasonic alarm systems running during business hours. (Some wealthy highschools in Ohio have those systems - but that's a story for net.flame.) Does anyone out there know of such work going on? Daniel Glasser ...!decvax!sultan!dag