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From: mbkennel@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Matthew B. Kennel)
Newsgroups: comp.arch,comp.sys.misc
Subject: DG workstation (again)
Message-ID: <8384@phoenix.Princeton.EDU>
Date: 12 May 89 03:20:48 GMT
Reply-To: mbkennel@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Matthew B. Kennel)
Followup-To: comp.sys.misc
Organization: Princeton University, NJ
Lines: 57

NOTE: I posted this about 3 weeks ago, basically asking questions
about DG's 88000-based workstation.  I received replies that
fell into about 3 categories:
	1)  "Yeah, me too.  Post any information that you find."
	2)  "We have a whole stable of computers here, this is what I find
happens on my floating-point programs.  We don't have a DG though."
	3)  "Hey, why don't you look at the NeXT, or Sparcstation."

Notice what's missing: information about DG's computer.  
I've tried mailing to the various DG folks on the newsgroup, but some mail
daemons apparently had other ideas.  So, if anyone here makes, sells, or
uses a Data General 88k workstation, please try to reply or post.
(followups are set to comp.sys.misc)

Ed note:  From what rumors and bits of factioids I can gather, the DG
machine appears to be very good technically, at a very good price.  On the
other hand, I have seen absolutely NO solid information or even promotion
from the company.  Compare this to Sun's media blitz, and especially helpful
employees here on the net.  It would be a shame if DG's machine died in
oblivion despite fine engineering.

=============================================================================

Hello,
  I'm thinking of getting a workstation, primarily for scientific
computation. I was thinking originally of the NeXT machine, but it seems
like there are better things coming out, especially for hard-core floating
point performance.  Right now for my thesis, I've been spoiled by using a
Personal Iris workstation, which for my application, is twice as fast as a
VAX 8700, and slightly faster than a Convex C120, even when fully
vectorized.  

The Iris is out of my price range ($20K+), but I really don't need
all the fancy color graphics.  What I want is something like a 
NeXT:  
	monochrome screen, medium-sized disk (~100 MB), and appropriate amount
of memory(8 mb I guess).  

How does floating point compare to a DEC 3100?  Price?  I'm probably going
to have to go for the lowest end machine, even with educational discount.

Could any knowledgable users or vendors tell me:

	What would be the price on a DG workstation as described
above, with and without educational discount?  What kind of system
software does it come with?  Is it BSD or SYSV based?  (which is it
_really_?) Is X windows included?
(i.e. a working, compatible server)  How close is the OS to common
"industry standards"?  Is it possible for individuals to purchase, or can
it only work through a department/purchasing officer?

Are you with OSF or AT&T/Sun?

Much thanks,
Matt Kennel

mbkennel@phoenix.princeton.edu