HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: AALMQUIS@LIBRARY.UNT.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Subject: Re: texel drives
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:17:18 GMT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
Organization: University of North Texas
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Priority:     normal
X-Mailer:     Pegasus Mail v2.3 (R4).

The new Hitachi 3750s are good drives.  Again, in our environment,
where our equipment is hit heavily by users and runs continuously
around the clock, I really prefer reliability (albeit as fast as
possible) rather than trying to get every last bit of speed.

The Hitachis are not all that expensive, depending on the vendor.  We
have been buying them for around $400, which is not a bad price at
all considering the quality and reliability of the drive.

None of this is to knock Texel at all.  On the contrary, I have read
several good things about their drives.  However, the Hitachis are
not that expensive and I have greater peace of mind using them in our
installation.

Arne J. Almquist
Assistant to the Director of Libraries for
Networking and Microcomputer Resources
University of N. Texas--Libraries
P.O. Box 5188
Denton, TX  76203-0188

ph. 817/565-3278
Bitnet: FB23@UNTVAX
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: CDROMLAN@idbsu.bitnet
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Mon, 14 Dec 1992 08:10:45 -0600
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Harriet A. Rood" <hrood@TENET.EDU>
Subject:      Macs, IBMs, and CDRoms

Actually I have several questions that I hope you experts out there can
help me with.  We are building a new library in which I hope to have our
catalog and whatever CD/Roms we come up with (we have MAS now) networked
with 12 reference stations and three work stations (staff).  In addition,
we are planning a computer lab with 40 stations that I wanted to be able
to access the network.  Our local computer people came up with the
plan to use a 486DX-50 system with 16mb ran as the server, Novell 3.11,
and Ethernet (with twisted pair cable).  The 12 reference stations and
three workstations are to be 386DX-33 with 4mb ram.  So far, I think that
is OK.  My problem is the lab.  We wanted to use MACs for their
multi-media capabilities and to be compatable with another lab on campus.
I keep hearing comments that this is overkill, that we really need to
stick to MSDOS machines because that is what the colleges are using, etc.
Also, and this is becoming my most important concern, I am having a hard
time getting the Macinstosh people to get their proposal in.  If I can't
get them to sell my their equipment, how can I expect service after we get
the equipment set up.  We had two Macintoshes here about five years ago
and had terrible service.  I am wondering if I am about to make a big
mistake.  I sure would be grateful for any comments.
             *******************************************************
             * Harriet Rood                                        *
             * Head Librarian              (210)  423-6006 ext 530 *
             * Marine Military Academy      FAX   (210) 423-7716   *
             * 320 Iwo Jima Blvd.           hrood@tenet.edu        *
             * Harlingen, TX 78550                                 *
             *******************************************************
                                " Semper Fi"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Mon, 14 Dec 1992 18:19:00 CST
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         CSVCDAH@NNOMED.BITNET
Subject: Re: Holiday Humor 8-)))))) Passing it on....

(Passed on) From Dave:
>  For the twelfth bug of Christmas, my manager said to me
>       Tell them it's a feature
>       Say it's not supported
>       Change the documentation
>       Blame it on the hardware
>       Find a way around it
>       Say they need an upgrade
>       Reinstall the software
>       Ask for a dump
>       Run with the debugger
>       Try to reproduce it
>       Ask them how they did it and
>       See if they can do it again.

  Hey, wait a minute... how does *IBM* feel about your passing on thier
  Tech support training manual ?
  Isn't that stuff "for internal consumption" only...?

Dan Henry               __o
CSVCDAH@NNOMED        _ \<,_
LSU Medical Center   (_)/ (_)
From: AALMQUIS@LIBRARY.UNT.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Subject: Re: CD CONNECTION
Date: 15 Dec 92 22:12:06 GMT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
Organization: University of North Texas
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Priority:     normal
X-Mailer:     Pegasus Mail v2.3 (R4).

Vivien:

What you'll need to do is this:

1.  Take the 2 host adapters back out of the PC.

2.  Take one of the cards and set jumpers to assign it a memory
address.  A good starting address would be CC00.  Be sure that it
does not conflict with your network card buffer (a good reason to run
a bufferless card such as the Novell NE-2000).

2.  Place the "first" one back in the machine.

    Find the program ASC_MODE.EXE.  This should be on the CBIS
    utility disk that they should have included with the cards.

    Start the program and change settings to match those in the CBIS
    manual (appears in the section "ASC_MODE.EXE").

3.  TAKE THE CARD BACK OUT!

4.  Take the second card and set another address.  This should be the
    next consecutive memory location above the first card (i.e.,
    D000).  Be sure that this does not interfere with your network
    card either.

5.  Put the "second" card in the machine -- LEAVE THE FIRST ONE OUT!

    Run ASC_MODE.EXE again to set BIOS parameters.

6.  Install both cards in your machine.

At this point, everything should work fine.  There are a couple of
things to watch out for:

You must have the proper version of ASC_MODE.EXE for the ASC86.  The
ASC88 version will not work.

You CANNOT have more than one card in the server when you are
configuring it.  The software will see the first card and not see the
second.  Configure one card at a time.

If you leave the cards at their factory settings, their memory
addresses will conflict.  This will cause the machine to hang as you
described.

If the memory addresses on the SCSI cards conflict with the Network
Interface Card setting, the machine will hang.

I don't have a copy of the manual handy, so if there are any
questions about any of the above information, please do not hesitate
to contact me again and I'll see if I can't get some more detailed
information for you.

Good Luck!!












Arne J. Almquist
Assistant to the Director of Libraries for
Networking and Microcomputer Resources
University of N. Texas--Libraries
P.O. Box 5188
Denton, TX  76203-0188

ph. 817/565-3278
Bitnet: FB23@UNTVAX
From: popwin@UU.PSI.COM
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Subject: hooking 9 cd drives to a CPU
Date: 15 Dec 92 14:26:20 GMT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
Reply-To: kwan@winthrop.org
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

We would like to hook up 9 hitachi cd drives to a single CPU.  5
of them are 1700s external drives and 4 of them are 3700 internal
drives in a tower.  We have 2 TCDIF8 interface cards, each can
support up to 8 cd drives.  Microsoft extension that we have
can also support up to 8 drives.  How can we hook up 9 cd drives
so that all of them are accessible in one session?

PLEASE RESPONSE TO ME DIRECTLY, I DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIST.

Kathy Kwan
Systems Librarian
Hollis Health Sciences Library
Winthrop-University Hospital
kwan@winthrop.org
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Fri, 11 Dec 1992 23:31:50 -0500
Reply-To:     georger@kean.ucs.mun.ca
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         georger@KEAN.UCS.MUN.CA
Subject:      RE. Cambridge Version 4 Software

>From:         Vivien <CCELIMLL@NUSVM.BITNET>
>Subject:      Medline Compact Cambridge ver 4
>
>Has anyone try the Compact Cambridge's Medline ver 4 on a 3+Open LAN ?
>The free RAM required to run the cc.exe is, ideally, 580k.  The minimum RAM
>requirement is 520k, by setting some of the parameters to a lower value
>when running cc.exe.  I quoted these values from their technical notes.
>
>I am using a 386 machine, DOS 5 and CDNET software.  I have loaded
>high most of the network drivers and programs.  The amount of RAM left
>on my PC is about 510k.  Fortunately,  I am still able to run cc.exe by
>setting the parameters to their lowest value (at the expense of
>performance).
>
>I feel that 580k of free RAM is too steep a requirement on a networked pc.
>Wouldn't a lot of network users be turned off ?
>
>Fortunately,  Compact Cambridge will still continue to support customers
>with less powerful PCs by providing ver 3 software and CDROM discs.  But
>how long will the support for ver 3 last ?
>
>Vivien Lim
>Computer Centre,
>National University of Singapore

I agree totally with Vivien the stated RAM requirements of the new
Cambridge search software are extremely steep for network environment
micros.  The new version 4 Cambridge software belongs near the top of that
"Software We All Love To Hate" list which was being discussed a few weeks
ago.

We have tested Medline version 4 on our Lan Manager 2.1 network and very
quickly decided to not make it publicly available.  Aside from the RAM
requirements and performance penalties if one doesn't have the recommended
RAM I find the software buggy and showing all the signs of software which
has not yet been really polished for public release.  It feels like early
beta software.

We are continuing with 3.47 software for now.  My reading of the situation
is that Cambridge is well aware that they have a loser in the current state
of their version 4 software and are scrambling like mad to address the very
obvious problems.  We are prepared to give them a year to solve their
problems otherwise we will be changing to Silver Platter.  I think
Cambridge is going through a classic example of their software development
process being hijacked by premature P.R.  If they don't successfully
implement major improvements to their version 4 software I suspect they
will be down the tubes very quickly as a major player in the CD-ROM
database market.

************************************************************************
George Beckett
Health Sciences Library                Phone:     (709)737-6670
Memorial University of Newfoundland    FAX:       (709)737-6866
St. John's, Nfld., A1B 3V6             Internet:  GEORGER@KEAN.UCS.MUN.CA
Canada
*************************************************************************
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: CDROMLAN@idbsu.bitnet
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Thu, 17 Dec 1992 08:44:52 -0600
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Harriet A. Rood" <hrood@TENET.EDU>
Subject:      MSDOS vs Macs, CDROMs, and Internet on Satellite (fwd)

        I want to thank all of you who took time out to answer my
questions.  All of you have given me much food for thought.  At least I
don't feel as if I am in this maze by myself.
        I'm signing off for Christmas so I want to wish you all a Happy
Holiday and I'll "see" you in January.
                  :-)  :-)  :-)   :-)
                       Harriet Rood
From: mark@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Subject: Archive Site?
Date: 15 Dec 92 13:29:28 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

About a month ago, Arnie Almquist posted a message to this newsgroup outlining
various cd-rom networking products available (CBIS, SCSI Express, etc.). 
Anyway, does this group have an archive site which I could access to view this
message again?

Thank you,
Marty Mark, University of Northern Iowa
mark@iscsvax.uni.edu
319-273-6258

Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Via:         UK.AC.CAM.PHX; 15 DEC 92 18:34:14 GMT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Tue, 15 Dec 1992 18:34:31 GMT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         A Grant <AG129@PHOENIX.CAMBRIDGE.AC.UK>
Subject:      Re: TCP/IP access to Novell/Multiplatter network

>      My solution is to use CUBIX Corp. Diskless PC's that come 4 to a AT
> size Card.  I have 3 of these in a Novell Bridge that allows the 12 PC's to
> boot from the Fileserver and Use the CD's.  The CUBIX Workstations output
> all keyboard and Screen through a Serial port ( they were designed to
> provide dialin service to a lan ) this serial port is connected to a 3COM
> terminal server that allows TCP/IP hosts to telnet to it and connect to one
> of the Workstations.  The Workstations translate the PC screen into VT100 so
> just about anybody can connect.

This sounds like a great solution, but I don't understand how the diskless
PCs talk to NetWare. How many LAN sockets does this box with all the cards
in it have? Does it have 13 Ethernet ports, or do all the PCs-on-a-card
somehow share a single network card?

Thanks...
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Thu, 17 Dec 1992 01:57:05 EST
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Mike Strahan, Computer Reference Svs.,
              Olson Lib." <FAMF@NMUMUS.BITNET>
Subject:      Any MultiPlatter Problems out there?

Please respond directly to:  FAMF@NMUMUS.bitnet
                       or: FAMF%NMUMUS@cunyvm.cuny.edu

Dear Colleague:

I have been a member of this list for most the past year.

There have been discussions of problems with CBIS, CD-NET, and other
CD-ROM networks out there.

However, there have been very few reports of problems with
SilverPlatter's MultiPlatter system (with the exception of the last few
weeks).

Is this because MultiPlatter is more trouble-free ? or could it be that
many MultiPlatter sites do not subscribe to CDROMLAN ?

I will be writing a grant proposal in early January to fund a
MultiPlatter network in our library.  I have become somewhat skeptical
of any CD-ROM LAN installation as being "turnkey" or "minimally
trouble-free".

Any comments from MultiPlatter sites--especially those that either have
or are seriously considering dial-access--would be greatly appreciated.

    ____________________________________________________________
   /                                                            |
  /   Mike Strahan, Computer Reference Services, Olson Library  |
 /    Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI 49855         |
|     voice:  (906) 227-2269   FAX:  (906) 227-1333             |
|                                                               |
|     BITNET:  FAMF@NMUMUS.BITNET                               |
|     INTERNET: famf%nmumus@cunyvm.cuny.edu                     |
|                                             "Clear as mud ?"  |
|     +++ "usual disclaimer goes here" +++                      |
|_______________________________________________________________|
From: AALMQUIS@LIBRARY.UNT.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Subject: Re: Macs, IBMs, and CDRoms
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:17:21 GMT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
Organization: University of North Texas
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Priority:     normal
X-Mailer:     Pegasus Mail v2.3 (R4).

Harriet Reed writes:

>Setting up a new library w/approx. 15 public access workstations and
>a computer lab w/40 workstations.  She had questions about the
>file server and putting Macs on the net.

Harriet:  I have a network with approximately 150 machines including
a computer lab with 40 machines, 20 of which are Macs.  Here are a
couple of suggestions:

1.  A 486/50 is fine for the file server.  However, I would also
suggest:

    *  EISA to give you the opportunity of running 32 bit network
       cards and disk controllers.

    *  Ability to expand RAM on the server beyond 32 Mb to give you
       the flexibility to run LARGE hard disks in the future (We
       have 6 Gigabytes of hard disk space on our main server.  We
       use that space to copy CD-ROMs to hard disk for increased
       speed).

2.  Workstations with 386/33s are alright.  However, 40MHz machines
cost no more than an additional $50 or so, on average, and provide a
noticeable difference in performance.  Memory is very cheap right
now, so you might want to go with 8 Mb of RAM per machine, especially
if you plan to run Windows.  Memory prices are expected to rise in
1993.

3.  I do have a lab containing 20 Macs and 20 PCs.  In terms of
usage, the patrons flock to the PCs, although there is a dedicated
corps of Mac users.  With the MPC standard, Windows 3.1, and various
peripherals, multi-media capabilities of the PC have improved
greatly.  We currently do some multi-media things with Mac, but will
also be setting up a Windows MPC setup as well.

Macs can certainly share a NetWare server with PCs.  We run NetWare
for Mac and have a server dedicated to the Lab.  One volume has Mac
Name Space installed.  We load our Mac apps off of the server.

Again, it can and does work.  However, after managing this mix for
some time, if I had a choice, I would rather stick with the PCs.
This is due to the robustness of the hardware, cost of replacement
parts, service, lack of choice in vendors, etc., etc., etc.

Good luck, and hope the above info is helpful!







Arne J. Almquist
Assistant to the Director of Libraries for
Networking and Microcomputer Resources
University of N. Texas--Libraries
P.O. Box 5188
Denton, TX  76203-0188

ph. 817/565-3278
Bitnet: FB23@UNTVAX
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Via:         UK.AC.CAM.PHX; 16 DEC 92 18:35:48 GMT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Wed, 16 Dec 1992 18:36:01 GMT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         A Grant <AG129@PHOENIX.CAMBRIDGE.AC.UK>
Subject:      Re: [OED2 for Mac and IBM]

Ruth Glynn, CD-ROM project manager, OUP writes:
> Of course OUP has an enlightened sales policy!  In the case of
> the OED2 CD-ROM the cost of the package for a site is dictated
> by the numbers of users and it will be accommodated by the
> licence issued to that site.

I thought someone said recently on this list that the OED was not
networkable? Can you confirm whether it does work with ordinary
networking products - SCSI Express, Optinet, InfoServer etc.?

(If it's just a bulk discount, I wouldn't consider that particularly
'enlightened'. Equipping every PC and Mac with its own CD-ROM drive is
out of the question for some people...)
From: holbor@ccmail.orst.edu (Richard Holbo)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Subject: Re: TCP/IP access to Novell/Multiplatter network
Date: 13 Dec 92 01:38:51 GMT
Organization: Oregon State University Libraries
NNTP-Posting-Host: standdx05.kerr.orst.edu

In article <Pine.3.05.9212091535.A7332-a100000@mars.ocs.mq.edu.au> "katie wilson" <kwilson@LIBRARY.MQ.EDU.AU> writes:
>Date:         Wed, 9 Dec 1992 15:17:35 +1100
>From:         "katie wilson" <kwilson@LIBRARY.MQ.EDU.AU>
>Subject:      TCP/IP access to Novell/Multiplatter network
>At Macquarie University we are running a Multiplatter network, Novell-based,
>and attached to the campus Ethernet.
>
>We are receiving many inquiries from people who have only Unix or TCP/IP
>or Macintosh machines and would like to access the CDROM network. I've
>been following the discussionon Macintosh access in this listserve, but
>does anyone have any joy about TCP/IP access to a Novell network.
>
>Is there a simple answer?
>

     I have been providing TCP/IP and Dialin service for about a Year and a 
Half now.  There is no SIMPLE Answer, but it can be done.
     My solution is to use CUBIX Corp. Diskless PC's that come 4 to a AT 
size Card.  I have 3 of these in a Novell Bridge that allows the 12 PC's to 
boot from the Fileserver and Use the CD's.  The CUBIX Workstations output 
all keyboard and Screen through a Serial port ( they were designed to 
provide dialin service to a lan ) this serial port is connected to a 3COM 
terminal server that allows TCP/IP hosts to telnet to it and connect to one 
of the Workstations.  The Workstations translate the PC screen into VT100 so 
just about anybody can connect.
     The Cubix Cards cost me about $1100 per and the AT I had, the 3COM 
terminal server was $2500.  So you're looking at at least $3600+.  This 
system has worked VERY good, will allow anyone on the net who can emulate a 
VT100 to use the CD's etc.  We are currently running 28 Meridian CD's and 35 
SCSI Express CD's, but this type of setup should work with just about 
anything, I use it to login from home and get my mail etc.

                 =========================================
                 Richard Holbo              (503) 737-0952
                 Systems Analyst
                 Oregon State University Libraries
                          holbor@ccmail.orst.edu
                 =========================================
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"CDROMLAN@IDBSU"
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Tue, 15 Dec 1992 14:52:50 -0500
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         MALONEY@SIENA.BITNET
Subject:      Macs vs IBM

I am still trying to get an idea of the platform universe out there.
Right now I'm specifically interested in to what extent the decision
to go with a Macintosh platform will restrict access to the usual
types of library databases, e.g. journal indexes/abstracts, directories,
etc.  The overwhelming majority of products seem to be PC only. Is that a true
perception?  Are more producers making their products accessible to both types?
Also, I've heard that the GPO disks with the GO and EXTRACT software
are PC based, but are there other programs that will read the disks as well?

We will be starting in a standalone configuration, but anticipate that in
the near future will go toward network applications.  Which is the best way
to start?
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Fri, 18 Dec 1992 09:01:53 EST
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         HCLADM08@UCONNVM.BITNET
Subject:      PLUSNET USAGE

Dear PlusNet 2 libraries or network administrators:

      We are attempting to ascertain normal or average usage of MEDLINE
on the PlusNet platform.  Thank you in advance for your comments/ any
any information you provide.

1)  How many transactions (searches, questions) per year (or month if
that is how you keep your stats) are logged on your PlusNet?
(If possible, please separate out MEDLINE stats from other databases.)

2) Is your entire facility (hospital, academic medical center) networked?

3)  Where are PlusNet workstations located?  (both inside and outside the
library.)

4)  Number of, and/or ratio of workstations to DIAL ACCESS ports?

5)  Do you have offsight access?   What users have offsite access?

6)  Do you charge for dial access/ offsite access?

--
Nick Tomaiuolo, Information Services Librarian
hcladm08@uconnvm.uconn.edu
Univ. of Connecticut Health Center PO Box 4003
Farmington, CT 06034
Fax:   203 679 4046
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-VMS-To: IN%"cdromlan@idbsu.edu"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Fri, 11 Dec 1992 22:05:00 EST
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         RANDIJ@VENUS.YCC.YALE.EDU
Subject:      Re: CDROM networking

Does anyone know of any CDROM databases appropriate for K-12 libraries
that do not have extra license fees for mutiple users.
Thanks
randij@venus.ycc.yale.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU