Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!amdahl!pacbell!att!mtune!codas!ablnc!kep
From: kep@ablnc.ATT.COM (Karl Parks)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: MSDOS recommedations for a church
Keywords: config
Message-ID: <544@ablnc.ATT.COM>
Date: 22 Jul 88 19:13:59 GMT
Organization: AT&T IMS, Maitland, Fl.
Lines: 78


I would like to get recommendations of hardware configuration and
software for a computer to be used in the office of a church.

I am a member of a rather fast-gorwing new church. It is a year old and
we have an average attendance of 175.  We expect to keep growing.  The
need of a computer is apparent.  We previously acquired at cost an
AMIGA.  The main person who used it was the one who arranged the deal
and now he left the church.  It is being underutilized due to lack of
knowledge of the present staff.

Since some members have XT MS/DOS systems at home, like the 
church treasurer, we would better utilize an MS/DOS system so that
we could share files/data.

Possible uses might be:
	Mailing Lists
	Accounts Rec/Payable
	Aver attendance/giving
	Sermon Notes
	Boys Scouts attendance/registration
	Church ministry accounting
	Games for the youth
	Newsletter Publications
	(Any other uses?)
	
How's this for a minimum config?
	(Keeping our current OKIDATA printer)
    Hardware:   ($1000 - $1500)
	XT 8088 clone w/ 640 meg 
	dual speed - switchable
	slot for math co-processor
	150 watts p/s
	hardware reset switch
	clock/calendar w/ battery backup
	40 meg hard disk
	1 5" 1.2MB floppy
	1 serial port and 1 parallel port
	5 slots or more
	some mono graphics card
	amber or white graphics monitor
	surge protector
    Software:  (>$800)
	MS/DOS and BASIC
	Spreadsheet: EXCEL, Quattro or LOTUS 123
	Word Processor/Publisher: Sprint or WORPERFECT 5.0

Please add to or subtract as you see fit.  Fill in comments for
specific brands to look for (or stay away from) as you wish.

Possible additions/changes might be:
	math co-processor
	EGA card and color monitor
	AT processor
	AT style keyboard
	200 watts p/s
	additional memory
	60 meg hard disks
	3.5" floppy
	Some Graphics Package w/ mouse

I would especially love to hear from anyone with experience on a system
dedicated for church use. 

Am I on the right track?

If several of the staff uses the computer, would we better off with 
several PC's or should I be looking at a reasonable multiuser system
like a low-cost UNIX processor?  (We would then run into our current
compatibility problem again unless I got a UNIX System that runs
MSDOS under it.)

Any help, suggestions, etc muct appreciated.  Thanks

Karl Parks
AT&T IMS
Maitland, Fl
ihnp4!ablnc
(407)660-6214