From: gah@netcom.com (Gregg Hungerford) Subject: Re: Coherent vs. Linux - a comparo Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1993 15:11:22 GMT
pd@doc.ic.ac.uk (Philip Daniels) writes:
> So if you find paging too slow on a PC use the same solution you used for
>the MIPS box, add more RAM. Seems pretty obvious to me!
You missed the point. All I am saying is that people may have false
expectations of virtual memory on a low end machine. Certainly it's
better than not having vm, but one must be prepared for a lot of
thrashing (and thus rebooting).
> Depends on what you are doing doesn't it? Actually, one could make a very
>good argument for running Linux on such a system - since it is so small and
>tight it would make far better use of the available hardware. I know that I
>could run X very satisfactorily in 32Mb, thanks.
Running EITHER coherent OR linux on a system like that is like
putting a lawnmower engine in a Cadillac. For the kind of money
you've put out in ram (about $1000?), it's a bit absurd to cut
corners on an operating system.
> Hmm, I run on a 14'' Ok and I think there is very little need to go over
>17'' unless you are doing CAD or development work, where having a lot of
>screen real estate really helps.
I prefer the smaller monitors, but I don't like spending my time searching
for and resizing windows.
> BTW, what's a "high end" operating system? One so bloated in can't run X
>in less than 64Mb of RAM? Sounds like those MIPS people should look into
>porting Linux :-)
Again, you are putting a lawnmower engine in a Caddy...
> Type of video system is very important. I run X at more than acceptable
>speed on my 486SX-25 / S3 combination.
That's not much processing power to be divided up (at least for
my needs). I'm running coherent on an equivelant system and the
4 virtual consoles are as much as my system can cope with. I also
don't find the 486 sx to be a sound investment. Isn't that just
a 16 bit bus and no co-processor?
In general, you missed that point I was trying to make. I'm sure
both linux and coherent are fine for low end systems, but if one
has lots of ram, high speed disk and a fast processor, it's penny-
wise and pound foolish to try cutting corners on a decent operating
system.
Gregg
--Gregg Hungerford - Boulder Creek, Ca. gah@netcom.com 72115.540@compuserve.com