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From: luciw@kodak.UUCP (bill luciw)
Newsgroups: comp.ai,comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: TI microExplorer (Mac II coprocessor) ...
Message-ID: <1180@kodak.UUCP>
Date: 17 Mar 88 14:30:45 GMT
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY
Lines: 46
Keywords: AI TI ZetaLisp Mac II Lisp Delivery Vehicle Lisp Chip

Well, our KBS Lab is ordering a microExplorer, the coprocessor for the Mac II.
It will be equipped with 12MB of memory (using a daughter-board), and we will
be using the Development System from TI as well as trying to run TCP/IP.  I
wonder if anyone (beta-sites, maybe) has had some relevant experiences with
the product or can comment on some of our concerns:

1) What impact (if any) does the alledged lack of "true" DMA have on the
paging performance of the microExplorer?

2) Is TI's implementation of RPC available to other applications (such as those
developed under MPW)?

3) How well integrated is the microExplorer into the rest of the Mac
environment - (cut, copy, paste, print on an AppleTalk printer) ?

4) Can you install the "load bands" on third party disks (SuperMac 150) or do
they need to remain on the Apple hard disk (the load bands are supposed to be
normal, finder accessible files)?

5) How much of a hassle is it to port applications over to the little beastie
from a normal Explorer (what about ART, KEE, SIMKIT, etc.)?

6) Do any benchmarks (ala Gabriel) exist for this machine?

7) How about ToolBox access from the Lisp Environment? (or am I dreaming?)

That'll do for starters ...

Our group is responsible for testing this type of technology and developing a 
"delivery vehicle strategy."  Ideally, said delivery vehicle should be under
$10K, but it looks like we'll be around $20K before we're through. This puts
the microExplorer in the same price range as a "reasonably" equiped Sun 3/60FC.

Thankyou in advance for all your comments and I will post our experiences
(good or bad, of course) as they develop ...


Happy St. Patty's Day ...



-- 
Bill Luciw / Technology Leader        ATTnet:  (716) 477-5384
Knowledge-Based Systems Group           UUCP: ...rutgers!rochester!kodak!luciw
Eastman Kodak Company                   ARPA: luciw@cs.rochester.edu
 "Don't take life seriously, you'll never get out of it alive!"  -- Bugs Bunny