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From: minich@unx2.ucc.okstate.edu (Robert Minich)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Desktop publishing
Message-ID: <1991Mar27.035918.27935@unx2.ucc.okstate.edu>
Date: 27 Mar 91 03:59:18 GMT
References: <16775@chopin.udel.edu>
Organization: Oklahoma State University Computer Center
Lines: 81

|>Since you will probably use the machines for word processing
|>(how else does the text get in?), graphic manuipulation, drawing
|>(Adobe Illustrator alone makes a Mac II worth having in a print shop)
|>and lots of other things, I would look long and hard at Macs. Especailly since
|>Ventura is availble for the Mac. 

by radel@chopin.udel.edu (Todd Radel):
| I'm not sure I'd agree ... I don't even have a NeXT yet, but from what I've
| heard on the net (and thanks to all who responded :-), the NeXT is _the best_
| writing and desktop publishing platform around!
|
| I'm looking at either a NeXT or a Macintosh ... but the Mac is *way*
| overpriced and can't compete with the NeXTstation for performance.
| Plus built-in Ethernet on the NeXT makes networking to PC's a snap.

Reality break time. You claim that Macs are "*way*" overpriced. Probably
so. However, do consider that the cost of the hardaware is almost
certainly not the dominant cost involved. You still have to buy software,
peripherals (it seems Apple and NeXT both overcharge for periphs, except
the NeXT laser printer), and you have train people to use this system.

[the original poster] jdr@sloth.mlb.semi.harris.com (Jim Ray)
# We have a group that is interrested in upgrading their current
# publishing capabilities ( currently using Mac's ).  They are
# interrested in using frame on a couple of Next's and the existing
# Mac's to put out black and white glossies.
#
# Management has decided ( with their PC wizzard ) that MAC's and Next
# ( and for that matter any computer other than a PC ) are not acceptable.
# Instead they have come up with an alternative proposal ( about 200k
# more expensive ) using PC's exclusively.

  Surely we can all admit that $200k is a lot of money to spend for
products that may very well perform no better than the original proposal.

  I think the NeXT has an advantage in that it can easily and efficeintly
share hardware resources as shipped. The Macs are plug and play. The fact
they are already in use would seem to suggest the users already know how
to use them. The NeXTs would probably require at least some UNIX knowledge,
which can be difficult if you don't know who to turn to for help. A "couple
of NeXTs" [from original post] would take additional hardware resources to
get up to speed, including RAM and disk space. I think the addition of NeXTs
to the existing setup would complement the existing situation. Tell the
boss that for much much less than $200k, you can have the Macs and the
NeXTs speaking to eachother fluently. UNIX can be extremely handy at times
and NeXTStep lets it be friendly, too.


# 1) What risk is there in going with the Next?  I don't expect them to
# go out of business any time soon -- but is that an unrealistic
# expectation?

I don't think NeXT will be going out of business. They've done too much
good work and are selling an incredible product for an incredible price.
I don't know that the above fear is unrealistic but if NeXT should fail,
I'd be happy to buy some of that hardware at rock bottom prices. :-)


# 5) I use Frame on Sun's and Dec's and other workstations, and find it
# quite acceptable.  If there are some reasons as to not use a Next
# machine ( can't come up with any currently ), does anyone out there
# see anything wrong with using some Unix system like the above instead
# of PC's?  The limitations of PC's don't appeal to me very much.      

Workstations can take a lot of work to keep running smoothly. Sun and
Dec don't have InterfaceBuilder. They don't have cheap software.
I think NeXT is much better aimed at non-technical users than the
others, although it isn't quite plug and play.

# 6) What features on MAC's and Next's that would be superior to PC's
# given a publishing orientation.                                    

NeXT gives you Display PostScript, so you always know what you're getting.
The NeXT laser printer is dirt cheap and compares favorably to more
expensive printers. NeXTs and Macs will do a much better job at working
together and sharing resources.
-- 
|_    /| | Robert Minich            |
|\'o.O'  | Oklahoma State University| "I'm not discouraging others from using
|=(___)= | minich@d.cs.okstate.edu  |  their power of the pen, but mine will
|   U    | - "Ackphtth"             |  continue to do the crossword."  M. Ho