From: Greg.Reinacker@FtCollins.NCR.COM
Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.misc
Subject: Re: Xterminal vs. PC-with-eXcursion
Date: 28 Jul 92 15:55:44 GMT
Reply-To: Greg.Reinacker@FtCollinsCO.NCR.COM
Organization: NCR Microelectronics, Ft. Collins, CO
In-reply-to: iceman@sequent.com's message of 23 Jul 92 18:49:43 GMT

>>>>> On 23 Jul 92 18:49:43 GMT, iceman@sequent.com (Ian Evans) said:
-> Nntp-Posting-Host: time1.sequent.com

-> 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!!

True.  :-(

-> 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.

Hmm...it's always a little dangerous to use words like "always".  A
dedicated xterm will _probably_ be faster, but there are MANY variables.

-> 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.

As far as response time goes, it is very dependent on the host machine
the client is running on.  I regularly run Framemaker and various other
X applications, and there is a huge difference when I switch hosts.
Overall, however, response time is very reasonable -- and I don't
consider myself a very forgiving user.  For reference, this is on a
486/33 with 8MB.

-> 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 agree with most of this -- the fastest machine you can afford is
definitely warranted.  It seems you really do need a 486/33 to get good
performance.  As for video, the bigger and faster the better (as usual),
but I run (for now) at 800x600x16, and it is acceptable (not ideal).
256 colors is nice (hopefully I will soon have them :-), but be aware that
some X server packages muck around with (read screw up) the color
palette.

As for client decorations like window borders, if you use a package that
runs each X window in its own Microsoft window, then you will have
minimal extra "stuff" to take up space.

BTW, I use XVision (by Visionware).  It seems to be a very solid
package, and I would recommend it highly.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Reinacker                          (303) 223-5100 x289
NCR Microelectronic Products Division   VoicePlus 464-1289
2001 Danfield Court                     Greg.Reinacker@FtCollinsCO.NCR.COM
Fort Collins, CO  80525
Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.misc