Is the 3b2 dead?

[20 James D. Corder]

In article <241 at rossignol.Princeton.EDU> tr at samadams.princeton.edu (Tom Reingold) writes:
>James Corder, tell us what it is you love about your 3b2.
>--
>                                        Tom Reingold

	Hmm? Hard one:

	First, understand that when I purchased my 3B2 it was state of the
art for about a week:-)  286 was the top in the PC.  I had a 286 XENIX machine.
I kept the 286 for a few months.  5 megs of ram, 11 rs232, 50 megs hard drive:
I thought I would make a BBS out of it.  My 3B2 has SYSV2 2meg ram, 10 rs232,
80meg hard drive.  Both where slow.  However when one would compile "C"
with more than one user on the system, the 3B2 would out preform the 286.
It is my opinion that the 3B2's depletion of speed as more users and processes
are added is less than most other machines in its class.

	I purchased the machine so that I could program at home on REAL UNIX:-)
At the time 1200baud was FAST.  Therefore, I would "vi" the program at home,
compile it, test it, debug it,... then uucp it to the Dec 11/780 accross town.
I did my best programing at home, as compared to work.  Now 2400/9600 bauds is
comon.  I have access to a 47mip UNIX machine.  Well?:-(  The 3B2 is a darn good
machine!!!

	Now it is outdated:-(  I have not used the AT&T 3B2/1000 or bigger
systems.  However, I don't think I would purchase one again.  The madning thing
about the 3B2 line, if you only need a few users, the are priced so high.
When I bought my system, the other machines where in the same ball park.
Now, AT&T has not kept up with price and demand.  Given the same amount
of money and todays market, I would buy a SUN SPARC STATION.

	I guess why I love my 3B2 is past experiences with it.
Also, My system's name is "alix" a person's name.  Therefore, everyone
talks about the system as if it was a "real" person.  This builds an
emotional bond with the system.  I am amazed more BIG companies don't
use names for systems, instead of numbers:-(  It was something fantastic
when I bought it!!!  And, it's paid for:-)

Thank you,
James D. Corder
...osu-cis!alix!jdc
...att!osu-cis!alix!jdc
alix!jdc at cis.ohio-state.edu