Users access the Servers either via a personal Workstations or through an X-Terminal. With this system the applications run on either remote Unix Servers or local Unix Workstations. The applications present their graphics onto the display of the X-Windows Terminal via the network. This is different to the Microsoft Windows approach where applications run on individual personal computers on each desk. Both systems have merits and problems.
Some companies prefer one approach to the other and some use both approaches on a common network.
XVI Terminal is like a conventional X-Windows Terminal with extensions to help the visually impaired user see and manipulate applications. The Beam XVI Terminal consists of a large colour monitor with keyboard and mouse and a box containing the display control system. It has the appearance of a conventional personal computer and is indeed based upon this technology. The Mini-Tower system is the most commonly used as it allows the main box to be sited under the users desk leaving plenty of room on the desk for working. It also has expansion slots available for adding future XVI extensions such as a video camera document viewer.