Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!orion.oac.uci.edu!hardy From: hardy@golem.ps.uci.edu (Meinhard E. Mayer (Hardy)) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Making the slab portable Message-ID: Date: 14 Apr 91 21:06:03 GMT Organization: U.C.Irvine, Dept. of Physics Lines: 29 Nntp-Posting-Host: golem.ps.uci.edu I was wondering whether anyone has come up with a solution to making the NeXTstatioon into a "slabtop" computer, i.e., semi-portable. What I have in mind is a D-19 connector with a switch or push-button connected to it, to replace the power-on button on the keyboard; this would allow one to connect a terminal or PC/MAC terminal emulator to one of the serial ports running a getty, without having the monitor connected at all. I am thinking of the possiblity of taking the "slabtop" from home (where I use it most of the time) to the office, where I can connect it to ethernet, load/unload software/NeXTmail, etc. At present I see no way of doing this without spending an extra $ 700-800 for a second monitor/keyboard/mouse to keep at the office (if these are sold separately). We have plenty of terminals sitting around, or better, if I can just start up the NeXT after xonnecting it to the network, I could rlogin and do all my housekeeping remotely. And while we are on the subject of wishful thinking: the same D-19 connector could be outfitted with a cable, a toggle switch, and another D-19 connector, and inserted between the slab and the monitor, allowing one to switch off the monitor and save 150 W of power. Greetings, Hardy -------****------- Meinhard E. Mayer (Hardy); Department of Physics, University of California Irvine CA 92717; (714) 856 5543; hardy@golem.ps.uci.edu or MMAYER@UCI.BITNET