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Date:      Sun, 6 Jan 2002 08:14:39 +0100
From:      Cliff Sarginson <cliff@raggedclown.net>
To:        FreeBSD Questions <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org>
Subject:   Re: Parts I recommend (formerly "Workstation and server-market")
Message-ID:  <20020106071439.GE1003@raggedclown.net>
In-Reply-To: <20020105170230.636999bb.matthew@starbreaker.net>
References:  <20020105195536.27073ca2.johann@broadpark.no> <20020105170230.636999bb.matthew@starbreaker.net>

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On Sat, Jan 05, 2002 at 05:02:30PM -0500, Matthew Graybosch wrote:
> On Sat, 5 Jan 2002 19:55:36 +0100
> J.S. <johann@broadpark.no> wrote:
> 
> > Where do I go for the most reasonable, well-equipped and good-looking
> > workstations and servers, which are decently compatible with FreeBSD?
> > 
> > I thought I'd go and look a bit further than dell.com -- I'm also a bit
> > interested in building my own boxen, where do I go for that?
> 
> 
<snip>
> --For a workstation or a server, you should have at least a 17-inch display.
> 19-inch is preferable, and if you can afford a 21-inch display then GO FOR
> IT!
> 
No no !. A server doesn't need such a thing, a crappy old 14 inch
will do if you need console access, most of the time you will probably
administer it remotely.
I would also be circumspect about a 21 inch screen for a workstation, 
the cost differential is phenemonal, and unless you are a graphic designer (
and have the stength to lift it) I would make very sure that you will
feel comfortable with it. Many people (including me) find that size of
screen very over-whelming to work on. There are a lot of psychological
factors involved here ! A 19" I would say is good for most people's
needs. If I had the money I would still prefer a TFT flat screen
personally, visually they are just gorgeous on your eyes.

> --Disk space? The more the merrier. Especially for a server, and especially
> if you're doing a http/ftp server or running an RDBMS. I recommend a bare
> minimum of a 7200RM disk with 20GB capacity. For a workstation, you can
> probably get away with ATA100 disks, but with a server you need SCSI or a
> RAID configuration.
> 
Don't live in the same room as a server with SCSI drives though. They
are significantly noisier than ATA ones.

> --You'll also need a backup device. For a server, you probably want a
> high-capacity tape drive. Ask around the list for recommendations; I've
> never used or installed a tape drive (I use CD-RW for backup).
>
Dats are good, dat drives are expensive, but dat tapes are very cheap.
 
> --You'll also need a good ergonomic keyboard. *Equips asbestos trenchcoat
> and casts NulBlaze* I like the Microsoft Natural keyboard; it makes for very
> comfortable typing. Also, if you plan on heavy X use, get a good optical
> mouse. I myself use the MS IntelliMouse Optical, which has 5 buttons and a
> wheel. If you use it, let me know and I'll tell you how to make X talk to
> it.

Mmm. I would say my most favourite object amongst my array of technology,
is an optical cordless mouse ... it really is a revelation when you
first start to use one.

Don't forget about the requirements to keep the things cool .. :)

-- 
Regards
Cliff



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