iraf.net

(whitis),Doug Tody sends the following observations on the 386i vs 3/260:> Re - 386i vs 3/260:
>
> They are both pretty nice workstations. I would say that a 3/260 (25 Mhz)
> with FPA is the better choice, if the additional cost is not a problem.
> The integer cpu speed is comparable but the floating point speed should
> be superior to the 80387, and a 10 bit frame buffer is available which would
> make screen updating faster. A fast Eagle-class disk on VME is highly
> desirable if extensive image processing is involved, as the small SCSI disks
> are rather slow. Either would make a nice system. Other factors, such as
> the ability to run PC software, binary compatibility on a network, or price,
> might be more important factors to consider than speed differences between
> the two machines.As for XWindows, in the long term we certainly plan to support it fully.
In the short term, we have a facility called XIMAGE from CfA, which among
other things provides a sort of IMTOOL emulation (it can be used with the
IRAF DISPLAY task). What UNIX machine are you getting that has XWindow?Steve Rooke
rooke@noao.edu

> How much faster is the FPA vs the 68881 on 3/260?About a factor of 1.5 to greater than 3 (depends on application details of
course); see the old IRAF benchmarks distributed with you IRAF installation
guide. We expect to update the benchmarks before long, which will include
the 386i.> What is order # for 10 bit frame buffer? I haven't seen
> any mention of it in sun lit. I assume this eliminates
> the fight between sunview and iraf over the pallete.I don't have the details; our UNIX system manager should be back in a few
days (sgrandi@noao.edu).> The UNIX machine I mentioned with xwindow is a new, unannounced, machine
> machine from DEC. DEC claims that their MIPS outperforms sun's SPARC
> machines and someone here ordered one.This machine will be delivered with DEC's version of DECWindows for Ultrix,
which is X11. XIMAGE is expected to be supported for X11 as early as next
month (the current XIMAGE will not run under X11). Technically, IRAF will
need to be ported to this machine, as the hardware and compilers are of
course different. I don't know where you are from (nor your name!), but
you are the first I have heard of from a site which has actually ordered
the machine. As things develop, we will need to be on the lookout for a
site to do the port and maintenance.Steve Rooke
rooke@noao.edu

The Sun386i port is new, and is still in the testing stage, but we haven't
experienced any serious problems. Probably on any kind of realistic
acquisition schedule both ports should be equally sound.Please stay in touch concerning any possible DEC/MIPS port. There may well
be some other site acquiring the machine that could be in a good position to
do the port; it is just too early to tell (the machine still hasn't technicall
been announced, though everyone seems to know about it).Steve