Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!batcomputer!cornell!vax5.cit.cornell.edu!myk
From: myk@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: Re: Toolbook on 386sx
Message-ID: <1991May30.102915.5123@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>
Date: 30 May 91 10:29:15 EDT
Distribution: comp
Organization: Interactive Multimedia Group, Cornell University
Lines: 25

(In reference to an earlier question with Subject: <none>
 about whether a 386sx is enough for Toolbook)

Once our director went to a conference to demonstrate our Toolbook
application, and they had a PS/2 55 for her, which is a 386sx.  She
said the performance seemed OK.  I would qualify that, though.  IF
your graphics aren't too complicated, and IF you don't try to do any
string searches.

I am also told that at least for Toolbook 1.0, it runs noticeably faster
if you have a math coprocessor.  No explanation given, but I would guess
that they are converting their virtual coordinates to pixel positions
using floating-point arithmetic.  That would certainly explain it.
I have no idea whether this applies to 1.5, which we don't have yet.
1.5 is supposed to improve performance, and remove or relax a number
of limitations in 1.0, e.g. you can now have full-screen color graphics
(but I bet the book gets big real quick).  Also search is supposed to
be 26 times faster, which might actually make searches useable.
----------
None of the above is official pronouncements from Asymetrix, except the
assertions they make about 1.5.
Mike Oltz,  Interactive Multimedia Group,  Cornell University
myk@cornella.bitnet    myk@cornella.cit.cornell.edu