🚀 go-pugleaf

	Hi.  I have been thinking about getting a UNIX box for home, but I have
several questions that I haven't found answers to.  At first I wanted to get a
used workstation (read: SUN), but recently I have been questioning how reliable
such a system would be, and how much it would cost to maintain.  Then, I started
thinking about getting a PC clone.  This seems more likely.

My questions:

	How do fast PC clones, like a 486DX/66MHz, compare with more traditional
		workstations for performance?  Are the processors fast enough?
		The disk systems?  What kind of buses give the best results?
		EISA? VESA?

	How do different UNIX implementations for PCs, such as 386bsd, Coherent,
		Linux, etc..., compare to say SunOS?  Are the more expensive
		UNIXes (read AT&T) really worth the price?

	How much, in the way of system resources (disk space, RAM, disk cache,
		processor cache) do you find necessary to get the same level
		of performance as a traditional workstation?

	Who makes reliable equipment that is reasonably priced with decent
		support?  I am thinking of mail order companies like ZEOS, or
		LodeStar.

	How much does it cost to get access to Internet from home for USENET
		news, email, and ftp access?  For those who work for companies
		that have Internet access, what are the company pocilies on
		personal use of the network connection?

	And finally, how much did you pay for your setup?

Thanks for taking the time to read through all those questions, and thanks again
if you're planning on replying.  If you think that this discussion isn't worth
continuing on the net, feel free to email me at:

	vyainsm@cs.purdue.edu

	Thanks again to all those who reply,

		Sean Vyain