modern serial terminal

[Sridhar Ayengar]

Dave McGuire wrote:
>>> I don't understand why someone would want to spend 10x more
>>> tima and money on a one-purpose device, when they can get
>>> everything they want and more off a cheap PC.
>>
>> Probably for the saem reason that some of us run classic computers in
>> preference to PCs...
> 
>   For me, the reason is simple.  Terminal emulators are too damn much 
> trouble...emulation problems, key mapping, etc.  I've used pretty much 
> all of them over the years, I think...the best one I've used was 
> SmarTerm 240, and even that is far from perfect.  Sometimes what one 
> really needs is an APPLIANCE...not an emulation of said appliance built 
> upon an unstable and problematic platform.

I also think that running a real terminal just "feels better".  But 
that's probably a matter of personal preference.

>   Further...A VT320 terminal pulls less than half an ampere at 120V, and 
> is available for use within about fifteen seconds of powerup...can 
> anyone say either of those things for a PC running terminal emulation 
> software?

Depends on the PC.  I have a PC that meets that description.  It is 
based on a VIA EPIA motherboard and runs PC-DOS.

Peace...  Sridhar