Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site isis.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!pyramid!hplabs!hao!nbires!isis!jay From: jay@isis.UUCP (Jay) Newsgroups: net.unix,net.unix-wizards,net.database Subject: your chance to recommend a system setup Message-ID: <403@isis.UUCP> Date: Tue, 25-Mar-86 01:57:49 EST Article-I.D.: isis.403 Posted: Tue Mar 25 01:57:49 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 26-Mar-86 19:44:42 EST Distribution: na Organization: University of Denver Math and Computer Science Lines: 145 Xref: decwrl net.unix:7294 net.unix-wizards:11035 net.database:199 /* please take this, my sacrifice, oh great line eater and spare our village */ I chose the large distribution to get everyone who might be interested. I hope I don't start flames just because of that..... Everybody has a scam. Mee too. I have a small little plan that I'm going to try to implement. And before I do, I'd like to get the opinion of all wise and knowledgable netters. Since I'm expecting a bit of traffic, you might make the net traffic a bit less, and keep the bill payers real happy if you mail your responses. I'll be sure to summarize replies of mail responses; of course, if you feel like anybody else really cares what you think, feel free to let the world know just what kind of person you really are... My plan involves (yet another) on-line database. The database will deal with stuff that is of interest primarily locally (statewide), so simply supplying it to DIALOG, BRS, ... is probably silly; after all - why load access charges up with network fees if not needed. I'm guessing that average prime time load will start with 3 - 4 constant users, hopefully growing to an avg. load of 30 - 40 users, with peak of double that, and nights only several. The database will be +/- 150 meg of info, including all indices! 95% of users are expected to be 1200 baud outsiders, so smart I/O boards would be helpful I expect. I already run a business that operates a (primarily non-on-line) database of info that is printed/published, and am using an NCR Tower 1632 (68000, Ver 7). It flails along doing all it can to keep up with the demands placed on it (which I might add are fairly high). But I must say that this next venture will be more than even NCR's newest Tower '32' could be expected to handle. So I'll need to be looking at bigger systems. Therein lies your chance to shine. I'd like to know what your opinion would be if you were asked to name a system that a small on-line database should run on. We clearly want to stick with UNIX; all our code will be 'C' code; and probably most important, I CAN'T TIE EVERYTHING I HAVE UP IN A SYSTEM!! Since I don't think we'll even be able to justify more than a $50K expenditure, I'm limiting the choices off the bat. But I'm open to looking at used machines. Your responses should be full of personal opinions, but SHOULD BE INFORMED!! I would like specific opinions about the following: 1) Hardware bullet-proofness. 2) OS implementation: version, time in service, faithfulness to 'n' version. 3) 'open'ness of architecture. I think computer manufacturers charge too much for peripherals, and I'll want to pick and choose, and adding device drivers can't be a 'mystery' process, nor do I want to be a pioneer and have to write my own drivers for every tom, disk and tape I want to add. 4) availability of board level modems, or other ways to get around having dozens of Hayes' sitting next to the system. 5) need for specialized environment, e.g. air conditioned rooms, ... 6) cost of additional board memory, and max hardware limits. 7) AVG cost of some given setup new AND used if you know. If you make assumptions, state them. 8) generally why you like it. Persons on the net at manufacturers sites, you are welcome to contribute, but please - supply ME the name of your Colorado sales rep, and let ME call HIM. This is primarily meant as an exercise in net opinion, not manufacturer sales pitches. I'm fairly sure I'll be overwhelmed by responses, so I'll say now that I won't have time to respond with thanks to all individually. So here is a true blue thanks in advance to all who will take the time to flame for all they're worth. Jay Batson {hplabs, seismo}!hao!isis!jay From postnews Mon Mar 24 23:39:28 1986 Subject: your chance to recommend a system setup Newsgroups: net.unix,net.unix-wizards,net.database,mod.computers Distribution: na /* please take this, my sacrifice, oh great line eater and spare our village */ I chose the large distribution to get everyone who might be interested. Moderators, please assist in adjusting distribution if you feel I've booboo'd. Everybody has a scam. Mee too. I have a small little plan that I'm going to try to implement. And before I do, I'd like to get the opinion of all wise and knowledgable netters. Since I'm inviting responses, you might make the Moderators of the moderated groups I place this in real happy if you mail your responses. I'll be sure to summarize replies of mail responses, and if you read this in a non-moderated group, feel free to let the world know just what kind of person you really are... My plan involves (yet another) on-line database. The database will deal with stuff that is of interest primarily locally (statewide), so simply supplying it to DIALOG, BRS, ... is probably silly; after all - why load access charges up with network fees if not needed. I'm guessing that average prime time load will start with 3 - 4 constant users, hopefully growing to an avg. load of 30 - 40 users, with peak of double that, and nights only several. The database will be +/- 150 meg of info, including all indices! 95% of users are expected to be 1200 baud outsiders, so smart I/O boards would be helpful I expect. I already run a business that operates a (primarily non-on-line) database of info that is printed/published, and am using an NCR Tower 1632 (68000, Ver 7). It flails along doing all it can to keep up with the demands placed on it (which I might add are fairly high). But I must say that this next venture will be more than even NCR's newest Tower '32' could be expected to handle. So I'll need to be looking at bigger systems. Therein lies your chance to shine. I'd like to know what your opinion would be if you were asked to name a system that a small on-line database should run on. We clearly want to stick with UNIX; all our code will be 'C' code; and probably most important, I CAN'T TIE EVERYTHING I HAVE UP IN A SYSTEM!! I'd even be open to looking at used machines. Your responses should be full of personal opinions, but SHOULD BE INFORMED!! I would like specific opinions about the following: 1) Hardware bullet-proofness. 2) OS implementation: version, time in service, faithfulness to 'n' version. 3) 'open'ness of architecture. I think computer manufacturers charge too much for peripherals, and I'll want to pick and choose, and adding device drivers can't be a 'mystery' process, and I don't want to be a pioneer, and have to write my own drivers for every tom dick and disc I want to add. 4) availability of board level modems, or other ways to get around having dozens of Hayes' sitting next to the system. 5) need for specialized environment, e.g. air conditioned rooms, ... 6) cost of additional board memory, and max hardware limits. 7) AVG cost of some given setup new AND used if you know. If you make assumptions, state them. 8) generally why you like it. Persons on the net at manufacturers sites, you are welcome to contribute, but please - supply ME the name of your Colorado sales rep, and let ME call HIM. This is primarily meant as an exercise in net opinion, not manufacturer sales pitches. I'm fairly sure I'll be overwhelmed by responses, so I'll say now that I won't have time to respond with thanks to all individually. So here is a true blue thanks in advance to all who will take the time to flame for all they're worth. Jay Batson {hplabs, seismo}!hao!isis!jay