Article View: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Article #1496NSC532MB "THE '532 Project"
From: Ken_Wilkinson
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1988 18:41
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1988 18:41
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4777 bytes
4777 bytes
Dear net folks,
I have watched with more than just some amusement at the discussion
that has followed the reposting of my '532 Manifesto. I think its time
that I reiterate the "VISION" that I had with the original posting.
<FLAME ON>
BUT FIRST! lets cut out the crap on the OS discussion please!
I'm sure that you can discuss the merits of your favorite OS
in a appropriate group. We don't (in case you haven't noticed)
have ANY license. If you want MINIX do it! NOW! I personallly
would like a new toy to play with but calling Minix a real os
is like calling Pascal a real programming language. :-)
(flame suit is on)
<FLAME OFF>
On another note, I would like to make a list of anyone or everyone who
is just more than mildly interested in this discussion. So please fill
out the following questionaire, and I'll post the results.
Question #1
The discussion on the '532 Manifesto interest me as far as
participation is concerned...
a) very interested, willing to help in any way (Hwr/Sof)
b) somewhat interested, will help as much as I can time permitting
c) interesting to read messages
d) not interested.
e) get off the net turkey!
Question #2
Provide your name, address (net, land coordinates etc) and
phone number to be reached.
Question #3
Provide your expertise, hardware, software, 25 words or less resume.
Question #4
How much would you spend? (whats your threshold of pain?)
a) $1000
b) 1-$2000
c) 2-$3000
d) $50,000 (call me quick!)
e) other amount ____
Question #5
What would you use this beast for?
a) research
b) toy
c) replace your: wife/husband/girl/boy-friend/dog.
d) business
e) other ___________
Please E-mail your answers to the questions as:
#1, a; #2 b; etc.
This will keep the net trafic down.
The VISION!
The original idea was to build an inexpensive computer without competing
with the NeXT, Mac, IBM, SUN, etc. world. As such it was decided that
the computer could be based on a Single board, plugin board, or IBM pc
style motherboard. The purpose of using the IBM PC bus, motherboard
design was to allow the use of cheap periphials and take advantage of
someone's else volume of manufacturing. Thus the case, powersupply,
keyboard, display, etc could be used. What this means is we can get a
decent architecure running and have "reasonable" performance without
spending years and bucks to do it! You can tailor it to meet your needs.
If someone wants to go cheap, they could use a terminal (if they have one)
and the motherboard. Or, buy a hiz rez VGA 1024 x 782 16 bit card and
NEC multisync II screen. Still cheaper that a homebrew adapter I'm sure.
The PC bus is admittably not the best choice, personally I would like to
use the Nubus, especially with the new TI chips to interface to the Nubus.
BUT! what cheap periphials do you see for the MAC II? NONE, unless your
into the SuperMac display (see above) or IEEE-488 instrument control
(bet its cheaper to buy a pc board). Using the SCSI bus for the hard
drive on the motherboard would give decent hard disk performance which
is what is one of the most important things anyways. Memory however
is the other. I don't think that we need to use sub-nano second memory
to get decent performance. I we stick to mass produced and available
SIMMS which are getting used in the volume machines I think that we
could fit enough memory on the motherboard to satisfy all of us.
Probably 16 megs at least! YOU say you need more? Tuff, you got the
wrong computer buddy boy! You say you need less than 16 meg?
Fine, buy what you need...
I believe that if enough of you are willing, and a design can be agreed
upon, that we may see NSC step up to help. Lets try to firm this up
in the next week or so, and see who and how many respond to the
questionaire.
>> Just remember, as in any design, some trade-offs MUST occur. <<
---------------------------
P.S. How do you like the name? Sexy huh?
Kenneth Wilkinson
SDRC
Cincinnati, Ohio 45150
(513)-576-2569 {work}
(513)-831-9441 {home}
Net (uunet!sdrc!scwilk)
"Are we having fun yet?"
standard disclaimers apply
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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!attcan!uunet!sdrc!scwilk From: scwilk@sdrc.UUCP (Ken_Wilkinson) Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k Subject: NSC532MB "THE '532 Project" Keywords: questionaire, the Vision Message-ID: <445@sdrc.UUCP> Date: 23 Nov 88 18:41:06 GMT Organization: Structural Dynamics Research Corp., Cincinnati Lines: 131