Re: linux as a minicomputer ?

[Richard Gooch]

H. Peter Anvin writes:
> Alan Cox wrote:
> > 
> >>This is fundamentally the problem with these kinds of schemes -- they
> >>get outcompeted on price and availability by the massmarket items.
> >>This is part of the very attraction of Linux -- it's running Unix on
> >>stock, cheap, hardware.
> > 
> > The hardware is now massmarket - otherwise I'd agree wholeheartedly. Video
> > cards are cheap, USB2.0 cards have 4 root bridges per card.
> > 
> 
> Oh yes, but the *expensive* part of the machine -- the multiprocessor 
> box -- isn't.

Why bother with multiple CPUs? A single processor Athalon can handle
several web kiosk users.

> Also, when using massmarket systems of more than 2 or 3 monitors you
> start having cabling problems.  VGA connectors aren't impedance
> matched and cause nasty reflections at high resolutions, so they
> don't extend well.  I guess digital video is coming, but is not yet
> mass market.

Actually, there is some impedance matching. I've seen monitors with
hi/lo impedance switches. And I've used 15 m long high-quality VGA
cables. The result has been pretty good.

				Regards,

					Richard....
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