From: iceman@sequent.com (Ian Evans)
Subject: Re: Xterminal vs. PC-with-eXcursion
Keywords: Xterminals, PC, windows, eXcursion
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 92 18:49:43 GMT

In article <susanc.711908363@keckiris> susanc@rice.edu (susan chacko) writes:
>
>We were thinking of getting some NCD Xterminals to replace our
>VT220s when we came across a demo for eXcursion, which is 
>offered by Digital and is (I quote)
>' a full implementation of the MIT X Windows Version 11 Release
>4 server. It runs as a Microsoft Windows Version 3.0 application,
>creating Microsoft Windows windows in which remote Decwindows
>or X Windows applications display graphics and receive input.'
>
>Since one could buy a PC with Windows for less than
>the cost of an Xterminal, and get the potential for local
>applications like wordprocessing as well, what's the
>advantage of an Xterminal? 
>
>Has anyone tried eXcursion? 
>Any additional comments and experiences are most welcome.

What kind of pc's and what model of ncd xterms are you comparing??
For the most part the ncd will be cheaper than most mainstream pc's (I
mean tier 1 and tier 2 pc mfg's, not tier 3 which are local chop shops).

Also, X emulation software usually costs $400-$500.  The transport
layer usually costs $200-$300.  So just the x software alone costs
$600-$800.  That's not cheap!!

The xterm will always be faster than any pc running any x emulation
software.  So if speed and reliability are a major factor in your
decision, then an xterm is the way to go.  You also should look at
what the people using this device do with it most.  If they are
doing word processing, spreadsheet work with a little host access,
then you might want to consider x emulation on a pc.

The overhead of a pc, dos, windows, and then the x software add
quite a bit to the response time.  Especially running real x
applications (i.e., framemaker, wingz, etc.)  These apps are very
slow on a pc running x emulation.  If you just need simple xterm
windows, then the performance is acceptable.

Also realize the pc config can make quite a difference in how the
x software runs on the pc.  I would definitely suggest at least a
17" monitor running at 1024x768 with 256 colors, a 486/33 or faster,
8mb of ram, and a *FAST* video card.  X is slow enough on a pc, if
you put it on anything slower AND are running more than a couple
of simple xterm windows, the people using the machine won't be very
happy.

I also suggest a larger monitor because on a 14" monitor running
at 640x480 or 800x600 doesn't give you much screen space.  Even
for simple xterm windows, once you add the client decorations (the
borders around the xterm or x app windows) a good chunk of the
screen is used up.  Is also recommend the higher resolution so the
x app doesn't HAVE TO take up the entire screen :-)

I hope I haven't sounded like I'm *telling you* what to do or what's
the *right* answer.  This is a very subject thing.

I hope you get a solution that works for you :-)

-- 
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	Ian C. Evans -- The ICEMAN		Sequent Computer Systems Inc.
	iceman@sequent.com			Architecture & Technology
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Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.misc