Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!mips!pacbell.com!ucsd!mvb.saic.com!eafbvax!eafbtems!elston From: elston@edwards-tems.af.mil (Mark Elston, NSI Inc., Edwards AFB CA) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Looking in from the outside Message-ID: <1991Apr12.145455.49@edwards-tems.af.mil> Date: 12 Apr 91 21:54:54 GMT Organization: T&E Mission Simulator - Edwards AFB, CA Lines: 33 I am considering purchasing a NextStation in the next couple of months (when I can get the $$ together and my wife won't chew me up and spit me out for it). I have some of the 'glossy' documentation from Next, Inc. but I have been hearing (OK, reading) in this newsgroup of some things available not specifically mentioned in the ads. What is SoftPC? Is it an add in board? Software? How much does it slow down the system? Does the system come standard with TeX? How easy is it to access the DSP chip? I do some math work that I could speed up with access to some in-hardware fft routines..... I have seen ads for NextStep (I think) interfaces to Mathematica. Is it difficult to devise something like this on your own? The trouble with glossies is that you often wonder just how much is hype. :-) BTW, Thanks to all those who responded to my previous questions about the Next (Perceptions about the Next). By and large response was very favorable and I have been quite reassured that Next is a platform that could very well carry me for a long time. Thanks in advance. Mark. -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- elston@edwards-tems.af.mil | #include | In real life -- Mark Elston | #include | Hero of the Oppressed. :-) | #define time fleeting | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------