Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!sdrc!scwilk
From: scwilk@sdrc.UUCP (Ken_Wilkinson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: NSC532MB "THE '532 Project"
Keywords: questionaire, the Vision
Message-ID: <445@sdrc.UUCP>
Date: 23 Nov 88 18:41:06 GMT
Organization: Structural Dynamics Research Corp., Cincinnati
Lines: 131





Dear net folks,

    I have watched with more than just some amusement at the discussion
that has followed the reposting of my '532 Manifesto. I think its time
that I reiterate the "VISION" that I had with the original posting.

<FLAME ON>

    BUT FIRST! lets cut out the crap on the OS discussion please!
    I'm sure that you can discuss the merits of your favorite OS
    in a appropriate group.  We don't (in case you haven't noticed)
    have ANY license.  If you want MINIX do it!  NOW!  I personallly 
    would like a new toy to play with but calling Minix a real os
    is like calling Pascal a real programming language. :-)
    (flame suit is on)
    
<FLAME OFF>


 On another note, I would like to make a list of anyone or everyone who
 is just more than mildly interested in this discussion.  So please fill
 out the following questionaire, and I'll post the results.

Question #1

    The discussion on the '532 Manifesto interest me as far as
    participation is concerned...

    a) very interested, willing to help in any way (Hwr/Sof)
    b) somewhat interested, will help as much as I can time permitting
    c) interesting to read messages
    d) not interested.
    e) get off the net turkey! 


Question #2

    Provide your name, address (net, land coordinates etc) and 
    phone number to be reached.


Question #3

    Provide your expertise, hardware, software, 25 words or less resume.

Question #4

    How much would you spend? (whats your threshold of pain?)
   
   a) $1000
   b) 1-$2000
   c) 2-$3000
   d) $50,000  (call me quick!)
   e) other amount ____

Question #5

    What would you use this beast for?

   a) research
   b) toy
   c) replace your:  wife/husband/girl/boy-friend/dog.
   d) business
   e) other ___________



 Please E-mail your answers to  the questions as:
 #1, a; #2 b; etc.
 This will keep the net trafic down.



 The VISION!

  The original idea was to build an inexpensive computer without competing
  with the NeXT, Mac, IBM, SUN, etc. world.  As such it was decided that
  the computer could be based on a Single board, plugin board, or IBM pc
  style motherboard.  The purpose of using the IBM PC bus, motherboard
  design was to allow the use of cheap periphials and take advantage of
  someone's else volume of manufacturing. Thus the case, powersupply,
  keyboard, display, etc could be used.  What this means is we can get a 
  decent architecure running and have "reasonable" performance without
  spending years and bucks to do it! You can tailor it to meet your needs.
  If someone wants to go cheap, they  could use a terminal (if they have one)
  and the motherboard.  Or, buy a hiz rez VGA 1024 x 782 16 bit card and
  NEC multisync II screen.  Still cheaper that a homebrew adapter I'm sure.
  
  The PC bus is admittably not the best choice, personally I would like to 
  use the Nubus, especially with the new TI chips to interface to the Nubus.

  BUT! what cheap periphials do you see for the MAC II? NONE, unless your
  into the SuperMac display (see above) or IEEE-488 instrument control 
  (bet its cheaper to buy a pc board).  Using the SCSI bus for the hard
  drive on the motherboard would give decent hard disk performance which
  is what is one of the most important things anyways. Memory however
  is the other.  I don't think that we need to use sub-nano second memory
  to get decent performance. I we stick to mass produced and available
  SIMMS which are getting used in the volume machines I think that we 
  could fit enough memory on the motherboard to satisfy all of us. 
  Probably 16 megs at least!  YOU say you need more?  Tuff, you got the 
  wrong computer buddy boy!  You say you need less than 16 meg?
  Fine, buy what you need...



 I believe that if enough of you are willing, and a design can be agreed
 upon, that we may see NSC step up to help.  Lets try to firm this up
 in the next week or so, and see who and how many respond to the
 questionaire.


  >> Just remember, as in any design, some trade-offs MUST occur. <<
                                      ---------------------------

 P.S.  How do you like the name?  Sexy huh?
 
 Kenneth Wilkinson
 SDRC
 Cincinnati, Ohio 45150
 (513)-576-2569 {work}
 (513)-831-9441 {home}

 Net (uunet!sdrc!scwilk)

"Are we having fun yet?"
standard disclaimers apply