Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!cornell!biar!trebor
From: trebor@biar.UUCP (Robert J Woodhead)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: What is a ...-computer
Keywords: supermini mini mainframe
Message-ID: <621@biar.UUCP>
Date: 10 Jun 89 02:57:28 GMT
References: <512@prles2.UUCP>
Reply-To: trebor@biar.UUCP (Robert J Woodhead)
Organization: Biar Games, Inc.
Lines: 19

In article <512@prles2.UUCP> winter@doomb.prl.philips.nl () writes:
>How can you define a:
>      - Minicomputer
>      - Supermini computer
>I'm especially interested in how to distinguish them from each other.

It seems to me that the only adequate way to distinguish between the
various classes of computers is by weight; to wit:

	* If one person can lift it, it's a microcomputer.
	* If two to four people can lift it, it's a mini.
	* If a forklift is required, it's a mainframe.

A superminicomputer is an anorexic mainframe.

-- 
Robert J Woodhead, Biar Games, Inc.  !uunet!biar!trebor | trebor@biar.UUCP
``The worst thing about being a vampire is that you can't go to matinees
  and save money anymore.''