Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!sri-unix!hplabs!cae780!tektronix!reed!psu-cs!nelsons From: nelsons@psu-cs.UUCP (Shannon Nelson) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Mainframe vs Micro Message-ID: <407@psu-cs.UUCP> Date: Tue, 6-Jan-87 20:41:37 EST Article-I.D.: psu-cs.407 Posted: Tue Jan 6 20:41:37 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 10-Jan-87 00:37:53 EST References: <657@imsvax.UUCP> <1415@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> <3690@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU> Reply-To: nelsons@psu-cs.UUCP (Shannon Nelson) Distribution: na Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Portland State University; Portland OR Lines: 42 Keywords: mainframes, VAXen, micro's Summary: Techno-Confusion In article <3690@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU> ma168a@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU (John Wavrik) writes: > >Perhaps a better analogy is that the PC is to the mainframe as a yatch is >to a battleship. > [...] > 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. Yes, a lot (*not* all) of the functions that VAXen are used for can easily be replaces by PC's, but *please* remember that a VAX is *not* a mainframe: it is simply a mini-computer, and not designed to do the major batch number crunching that most mainframes do. In continuing the modification of an analogy, PC [XT, AT] = rubber raft (or maybe a rowboat?) VAX 11/780 = yacht IBM 4341 = oil tanker. Many larger sea-going vessels (oil tankers) include smaller vessels (life boats) to perform other functions. You don't use a lifeboat for hauling oil, and you don't use a PC for solving systems of 100 differential equations. As for the yacht, it's great for small cruises, going from one tanker to another, and the VAX is well suited for being a front-end to CRAYs and other "maxi"computers. Each tool has its use. It's possible to substitute if needed, but there's nothing like using the right tool. sn -- /======\ Shannon Nelson // \\ \\ ...tektronix!psu-cs!nelsons (( go\\to )) \\ \\ // "Keyboard. How quaint." \======/