Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!thunder.mcrcim.mcgill.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!apple!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!rex!ames!ucsd!ucrmath!rhyde
From: rhyde@ucrmath.ucr.edu (randy hyde)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: Macworld Expo Report
Message-ID: <11142@ucrmath.ucr.edu>
Date: 15 Jan 91 06:08:47 GMT
References: <9101141428.AA19454@meepmeep.pcs.com>
Organization: University of California, Riverside
Lines: 46

I'm sure you're wondering "what on earth is this guy talking about
Macworld Expo here for.  This isn't a mac group."

Of course, some of you may be wondering what macworld expo is.
It's a computer show dedicated (obviously) to Macs (and to a lesser
degree, NeXT Machines).

Okay, what does this have to do with the PC532?  Plenty, actually.
The Mac and the NeXT are the only mainstream machines (millions availble)
which include a SCSI bus as standard equipment.  Therefore, there are lots
of SCSI peripherals at a MacIntosh show.  One of my prime goals was to locate
some SCSI peripherals which might work with the PC532.  I found several
promising devices.

First, an outfit called Aura Systems Incorporated ((1-800-365-AURA) makes
a color display adapter which connects to SCSI.  It's really intended for
low-end Macs which don't have a color display, but if you write your own
drivers you can control it from the PC532.  It incorporates a TMS 32010 chip
on board with lots of programmable resolutions.  Prices start at $695 (retail)
for the box.  Great way to add a console to your machine.

There were no less than four boxes available that let you hook a SCSI up to
an ethernet line.  Approximate costs were around $500.  Nuvotech makes one
as do several others.

There were lots of floppy drives for Macs and NeXT machines running off the
SCSI port.  I didn't get any info on these, but there were so many that I
figured it would be easy to locate them in the future if I really wanted one.

>> The GEM <<  One device, to be available RSN, was a neat device from
Orchid (the people who make video boards and accellerators for the PC).  It's
a device called MacPort which lets you stick two serial and one parallel
(PC compatible) port on the SCSI bus.  Should cost about $500.  With a little
work you could get this device working with Appletalk/localtalk since it uses
the Zilog 8530 serial controller chip.

GenoVation Technologies makes a device called the "serial box" which lets you
hook an IBM AT or XT compatible keyboard to a serial port.  It's really
intended for laptops, but it should work on the PC532 just fine. 

Logitech makes several three-button mice which interface via the serial port.
Perfect for X windows.

Geeze, now all I need is for my parts kit to arrive and I can go broke in
nothing flat!
*** Randy Hyde