🚀 go-pugleaf

philip@utstat.uucp (Philip McDunnough) writes:
> audley@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Christopher D Audley) writes:
> 
> >Here's what the "Setup and Tutorial" says:
> >
> >"Warning: NeXT computer systems generate, use, and can radiate radio
> >frequency energy, ...
> >   ...    The systems have been tested and found to comply
> >with the limits for a Class A computing device

> >Operation of a NeXT system in a residential area is likely to
> >cause interference, in which case the user at his or her own
> >expense will be required to take whatever measures may be
> >required to correct the interference."
> 
> FCC B is a requirement for home use. NeXT does not accept any
> responsibility for costs or whatever which a home user may suffer
> in order to correct that interference. What if the interference
> happens to result in something serious happening?
>  
> I use a Cube at home. I am extremely concerned at this time re the
> lack of FCC B (and the equivalent up here) status of my equipment.
> It is unclear to me just how liable I would be for some serious
> mishap.

"Serious mishap" would mean you turn on your NeXT and the TV in the  
neighbors home or apartment will get a lot of snow in the picture.  It  
doesn't mean the neighbor's TV will blow up, or that anyone in your area  
will suffer medical problems.  The "Class A" certification pretty much means  
you're not going to get sued for turning it on.

"Responsibility of costs" means you'll have to spend money (or do something)  
such that no snow occurs on the neighbor's TV set (or radio, or whatever the  
neighbor is complaining about) when you turn on your NeXT.  It would be  
sufficient for you to simply not turn you NeXT on.  It would be sufficient  
for you to, at the time of the complaint, move your NeXT to your office.

And, last I heard, NeXT's machines actually met the Class B requirement,  
it's just that NeXT did not want to have that certified because that would  
cause hassles whenever they made any engineering change to the machine.   
(eg: Add new memory subsystem, go back to the FCC to get the certification).

So, you shouldn't see any problems, but if you do see the problems all that  
will happen (in the US) is that you'll be required to add some sheilding, or  
leave your NeXT off, or move your NeXT to a commercially-zoned area.  And if  
there's a big debate with your neighbor over the snow on his TV set, he'll  
have the legal upperhand (forcing you to do something) since the NeXT is not  
certified as being class B.

--
Garance Alistair Drosehn     =     gad@eclipse.its.rpi.edu
ITS Systems Programmer            (handles NeXT-type mail)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute;           Troy NY    USA