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From: ma168a@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU (John Wavrik)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Mainframe vs Micro
Message-ID: <3690@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU>
Date: Sun, 4-Jan-87 22:19:44 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc3.3690
Posted: Sun Jan  4 22:19:44 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 5-Jan-87 04:36:27 EST
References: <657@imsvax.UUCP> <1415@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 14
Summary: What are computers used for?



Perhaps a better analogy is that the PC is to the mainframe as a yatch is
to a battleship.
   As a UNIX user I can find out what other system users are doing at any
time. I have no reason to believe the situation here is atypical: most users
are editing files. I agree that a PC and a mainframe are two different types
of computers -- but I argue that most of the needs of current users of 
mainframes could be met my PCs. Our overburdened VAXen provide an inferior
environment (and slower response time) than an IBM-AT.  I'd like to see tasks
which could just as well be performed on a PC farmed out to these machines.
   I don't see mainframes as a dying breed -- I do see more and more users
clogging them. PCs represent a viable alternative to the increased demand
on computing services posed by the increase in the user population.