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From: alexk@otc.otca.oz.au (Alex Kowalenko)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.amiga,aus.sun-works
Subject: Re: Amiga 3000UX & Sparc
Message-ID: <2533@otc.otca.oz>
Date: 21 Mar 91 05:03:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: otc.2533
Sender: news@otc.otca.oz
Reply-To: alexk@otc.otca.oz.au (Alex Kowalenko)
Organization: OTC Development Unit, Australia
Lines: 26

I'm looking for for a solution to this problem:

The cheapest box running a "standard" Unix, X11 (and a good ~1000x900 display), and capable of compiling Gnu applications without too much modification.

I was looking at an Amiga 3000UX, but it seems that a Sun Sparcstation SLC, seems to be the best solution, though it's very close:  

An Amiga would need an bigger display (expensive) and disk space?  SYSVR4 is the new standard (it's the right direction).

For PC's you need buy an Unix package with development kit (expensive) and a good display(expensive) and extra memory + 386 at least.  Xenix fails the test and looks like SCO Unix is not that great (I've heard that they won't do a SYSVR4)
The only other Unix is Interactive 386ix (expensive for development system), and some other SYSVR4's i don't know much about.  Other non standard solutions: Minix (do it yourself approach), MKS $99 Unix (this is the Unix me grandad used!), GNU kernel (Mach based) (this is the Unix my children will use!).

For Mac A/UX IIsi at least with more memory (expensive by definition).  (It doesn't seem to be that standard for compiling gnu-ware.) (They might do a SYSVR4)

SLC's have SunOS4.x standard and 1100x900 100dpi screen, 8MB (you need more), X11; that's about US$6000 (SunOS5.0 probably will be SYSVR4) All of GNU, university ingres, postgres + much more.

What you need to add to that is more memory( ->16MB) more disk space (~400MB) and some sort of backup medium (tape), for a good top rate development environment.  This would then make the package become more expensive (about US$8000).  But it seems that it would be hard to match on these goals.

The disadvantges are that is not a PC, Mac or a Amiga, and commercial software costs!
                               
-- 

    Alex Kowalenko                 ACSnet: alexk@otc.otca.oz
    R&D Contractor                   UUCP: {uunet,mcvax}!otc.otca.oz!alexk
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