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From: daemon@watmath.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: 68020 Box, laser printer, Eastern Pa. Expo
Message-ID: <6130@watmath.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Mar-87 10:50:31 EST
Article-I.D.: watmath.6130
Posted: Wed Mar 18 10:50:31 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Mar-87 06:22:19 EST
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In article <10162@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU> you write:
>Mark did say that the box would only use the ST's I/O ports.  Well why
>not put a few RS-232 ports on the box. This would allow you to hook
>your 8-bit up to your ST as a terminal.  It could also be used in a
>University Microlab, for running a BBS and allowing console logins.
>Another use would be in an office situtation.  This way many people
>can access the same files, share printers, etc.  It seems that this is
>VERY possible under System V UNIX.

I'm a little leary of this suggestion.  The 68020 box would be a wonderful,
single-user, Unix workstation.  Adding multiple serial ports to allow a lot
of multi-user use would change this inexpensive Unix workstation into an
"Office" computer, with a corresponding increase in price.  Atari would have
to pay AT&T for additional licenses; there would be more gunk in the drivers
and hardware to suppport the extra serial ports, etc., etc.

I would like a couple of serial ports for one extra terminal, a modem, etc.,
but nothing more.  Atari has often been the David of the computer industry;
I would prefer that the 68020 box remains affordable and doesn't turn into
another Goliath of a computer.

Mike Berkley, University of Waterloo

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