Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/13/84; site intelca.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!akguc!codas!peora!pesnta!hplabs!intelca!kds
From: kds@intelca.UUCP (Ken Shoemaker)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Re: What is \"bitblt\" ?
Message-ID: <167@intelca.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Jan-86 05:43:25 EST
Article-I.D.: intelca.167
Posted: Mon Jan  6 05:43:25 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Jan-86 06:14:11 EST
References: <976@brl-tgr.ARPA>, <956@terak.UUCP> <6264@utzoo.UUCP>
Organization: Intel, Santa Clara, Ca.
Lines: 34

> > ...if you have special-purpose bitblt hardware in order to get around the
> > speed problems, you have to use non-virtual memory to hold the images...
> 
> Does not follow.  There's no reason why bitblt hardware can't use virtual
> memory the same way the cpu hardware does, although it adds cost and
> complexity.

Well, if you are willing to make virtual memory hardware that responds
in "real time..."  I'd think that would be more expensive than just having
more memory!

> Nonsense.  This is like saying that monochrome books are an endangered
> species:  the color ones get all the hype, but monochrome still does most
> of the work.  For about the same reason, too:  adding color while retaining
> resolution and clarity greatly increases cost, and the extra expense is
> justified only for certain specialized situations.

Oh come on!  Just because you haven't thought of any use for something
doesn't mean it is useless.  I have used a color terminal for normal
text editing, and have found it none the lacking.  In addition, the use
of colors to highlight various things on the screen, whether they be
text or graphics, adds another dimension to the display, one that is
difficult to get with grey levels or hatch patterns.  Also, in
at least text applications of color, bitblt can be very easily used.
With memory costs on the wane (or at least they were until the government
got involved) I don't see the use of color displays going any way but up,
even with the more expensive tube.
-- 
remember, if you do it yourself, sooner or later you'll need a bigger hammer

Ken Shoemaker, Santa Clara, Ca.
{pur-ee,hplabs,amd,scgvaxd,dual,qantel}!intelca!kds
	
---the above views are personal.