norskog (09/21/82)
#N:fortune:6400001:000:1738 fortune!norskog Aug 30 21:50:00 1982 About the Fortune 32:16: I am in the operating systems group here at the big F. The informational comments thus far recieved are unFortunately misinformed. (Hee hee) If you want to know the correct prices, contact the Marketing department here, that's: Fortune Systems 1501 Industrial Road San Carlos, CA Its in the middle of Silicon Gulch. Sorry, I don't remember the Zip (415) 595-8444 Now, down to some facts: The minimum configuration is: 256K memory, 800Kb floppy drive, built-in CRT/keyboard, the CRT is memory-mapped, its output rate is about 45Kbytes/sec It does not have a computer to itself. The hard disk controller is a microcoded thing from Western Digital. With about another 10k invested in hardware, you have a 4-user machine. Compare that to an ONYX, or a Z-lab. Comparing it with the IBM PC is a joke, considering that it outpaces a pdp 11/34. The 32:16 is intended mainly for business applications where it's intended to be an applications workhorse. It is the only UNIX on the market which does NOT assume the existence of a local UNIX wizard, or half-wizard, or indeed any local individual possessed of computer literacy. Think about that. One comment was that it required a fair amount of money in software to get the thing going. Depends. It does not require much time or knowledge. The philosophy is that you can unpack it, read the short, friendly manuals, (no, they don't say "Don't Panic" on the cover), go through the installation procedures, sit down and get something done. It is what's been needed in the computer market for a long, long time. It is not a hacker's machine. Thanks for the podium, Lance C. Norskog Fortune Systems sri-unix!fortune!norskog randvax!fortune!norskog