Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!uunet!ginosko!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!noao!ncar!asuvax!mcdphx!udc!chant!aglew From: aglew@urbana.mcd.mot.com (Andy-Krazy-Glew) Newsgroups: unix-pc.general Subject: unix.pc (3B1) request for info Message-ID: Date: 6 Sep 89 02:13:35 GMT Sender: aglew@urbana.mcd.mot.com Organization: Work: Motorola MCD, Urbana Design Center; School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Lines: 123 I bought a UNIX PC in the fire sale (gosh, is that a few *years* ago now?) but, unlike all you skilled folks, never really played with it much - the big machines at work (Gould and Motorola) were rather more fun to play with. Besides, once you've gotten used to a big screen, you don't ever want to go back. Oh, I know my machine works - I use it off-and-on, occasionally, for quick midnight hacks, etc. - but I've lost touch with the latest and greatest in 3B1 land. However, circumstances (a desire to return to the life of a grad student) may soon remove my access to the machines at work --- and computer access at my university is somewhat confining. So, I now return to the unix.pc newsgroups with a whole slew of questions: (1) Are the unix.pc* newsgroups archived anywhere? (2) What is the latest and greatest on unix.pc software extensions?: a) Upgrading my OS: I have UNIX 3.51 (I think). Undoubtedly there have been bug fixes since. How do I get them? b) Customer Support AT&T seems to have forgotten I exist - can I get in touch with them to find out the latest "official" 3B1 software news? c) PD Software i) GNU EMACS I got (and still use) the original GNU EMACS distribution from Brad ?? for my 3B1. I'm sure it's been updated. Does standard GNU work OK? Anyone have a list of files to eliminate? ii) GNU CC Ditto - I'm sure this runs on the UNIX PC without too many workarounds now. Is the standard distribution the place to go? iii) wordprocessing, TeX Is there a CTeX around for the UNIX PC? Is there a PD approximation to nroff anywhere to be found? (my "printer" is an RX-80 - not very sophisticated) iv) document previewer v) X Has anyone bothered to get X working on a 3B1? How about connected to an X terminal (serial link)? vi) comm Anyone have alternatives to the default terminal and file transfer program? The terminal is pretty slow... How about SLIP? vii) uucp Is HDB still AT&T private? Any alternatives? d) Alternative OS Has anyone ported XINU? MINIX? MACH? Or any other almost-freely-accessible OS to the UNIX PC? (3) What is the latest and greatest on unix.pc hardware extensions?: a) extra disks I heard that there is a "kit" for using more than 8 heads and all the tracks on a disk - plus something to let you have more than one disk. Can someone point me to it? Given that, can someone point me to a good source for the actual disk? I have 67M now, and basically want to buy as more space as I can afford. b) disk controllers I apparently just missed the WD2010 group buy. Can anyone tell me about it? Is anyone else interested? Any pointers to purchases in quantity 1? Exactly what does it get you (faster seeks?) c) SCSI Is there still a SCSI board for sale? Is it any cheaper than it used to be (2K$)? Did any hobbyist homebrew his own? d) Backup Tapes? EXAbytes? (off SCSI?) e) Processor upgrade Has anyone plugged in (daughterboard) a newer, faster, processor? Joe Hollinger was going to try a 68020 a while back - are you still around, Joe? Anyone done a 68030? The idea of using the 68030's MMU to get >4M processes is appealing - but that would have to run all around UNIX. f) Memory upgrades Are there any upgrades, eg. to get more memory on the motherboard? Offboard? Beyond 4M? g) Virtual Memory Upgrades As I remember it, the 3B1 is limited to 22 bits by its MMU. Has anyone gotten around this? (If I want to do some of my research at home, I will *need* more than 4M of virtual address space per process). h) Laserprinter ... i) Display Anyone connected a larger display, with more bits? I'd appreciate help with these, or any other, steps towards making my 3B1 my new home machine. My priorities are getting PD software, and getting more disk space to hold it on. My constraint is lack of cash. -- Andy "Krazy" Glew, Motorola MCD, aglew@urbana.mcd.mot.com 1101 E. University, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. {uunet!,}uiucuxc!udc!aglew My opinions are my own; I indicate my company only so that the reader may account for any possible bias I may have towards our products.