Paul wrote asking about computer equipment for graphicsapplications in
museums.
Paul,
What Jim Gilmore advised is fairly good, but hard to do on a $2k-$3kbudget.
You will undoubtedly get many 2-cents worth, so here are mine based on
about 20 years of tinkering with mainframes to PCs and as a former ownerof
a small shareware company (isn't everyone):
1) Jim is correct, when you are handling large graphic files RAM is the
most important factor. You will want at least 12 MB and preferably 16 MB
ofRAM for many contemporary graphics files and upgrades. Many graphic
artists I work with have 32 MB running.
2) Next to RAM, disk space is the most important. The absolute smallesthard
disk drive you should purchase is in the range of 500 MB. I would suggest
that you look at removable high density storage such as rewriteable optical
disk drives, Bernoulli cartridges, etc. I do not know a single graphic
artist who hasn't filled up all available hard disk space in under a year
with programs and LARGE files. Most of them are going to removable
cartridge that can store 500 MB or more. In the long run, they are MUCH
more cost effective than a fixed internal hard disk drive.
3) The cost wars in computers are based on chip speed. Do you need the
fastest chip out there? No. By buying the next to the fastest you can save
boatloads of money to put into RAM, disk media and what I'll get to next,
the printer. The slowest 80-series (DOS) chip I would suggest is a 486-66,
which have dropped in price like the Mexican peso. Pentium chips are
good,but the gain in speed is marginal except in very CPU intensive
applications such as CAD (computer aided design) where drawings are rotated
on screen (I doubt you wil be doing much of that). WHATEVER you do, DO NOT
buy an SX chip. These are basically hobbled, cheaper versions of the full
DX chips that lack math co-processors. You do not need math co-processors
for word processing, but you DO need them for applications such as graphics
when the computer must crunch numbers.
4) The printer is very important, because (like audio equipment) the best
stereo in the world sounds lousy coming out of a pair of $29 Radio Shack
speakers. For graphics applications your MUST have a laser printer and
hands down the best ones are Hewlett-Packard. They have been getting
cheaper, but you need one with enough RAM so that, when you compose a
complicated graphic you do not have to go out to lunch and come back before
it prints. Forget font cartridges, because the new truetype technology
makes them unnecessary. Again, buy as much RAM for the laser printer as
necessary. Avoid (if you can afford it) the lower end "personal laser
printers" as they really do not have what it takes for graphics.
5) What Jim said about monitors is correct; buy a 17 inch if you can
affordit, preferably a non-interlaced screen (this eliminates screen
flicker) andno less than super-VGA resolution. But you can do a serviceable
job on lessdemanding needs with a regular S-VGA monitor. After all, the MAC
groupies turned out good graphics on the tiny MAC-I black-and-white
screens.
6) I have had a lot of experience with scanners and the best is
Hewlett-Packard. They have dropped in price. Hand scanners are made
forpeople with only occasional use needs; get a flatbed one. The bad news
is that they are not cheap. If you have to go with a hand scanner go for a
400 dpi Logitech and realize that it will be almost useless for
documentscanning (character recognition) and that you will have to scan
several times to get a good graphic scanin most instances.
7) CD-ROMS are gaining speed in acceptance; they are primarily useful ifyou
want to use type or clip art libraries. If you get one, get one
factoryinstalled as they are like passing a golf ball through a garden hose
toinstall. If you decide to forgo one and scan in your clip art and spot
illustrations you CAN add it later, but have a tech lab do it for you
(after backing up your files first).
8) Modem - Buy an external 28.8 modem to go with the computer. Some
printhouses will let you modem completed layouts, books, invitations,
posters,etc to their computers. This beats the heck out of driving or
Federal Expressing it to the nearest printer.
O.K. The bad news is that you will have to spend probably closer to
$5,000to $6,000 to get this equipment. DON'T save money by buying a KUNG FU
computer or some other off brand. You WILL be sorry. Stick with
Compaq,Dell, or one of the other manufacturers. Sure, they all have the
same chips, but, like tires, they can be on a Ferrari or a Yugo. Get
desk-side maintenance (Compaq is very good with this). I am not a big fan
of Packard Bell computers because of problems I encountered.
Hewlett-Packard computers are built well but too expensive for most museums
in my experience.
If you have to cut somewhere, do it in processor speed (but not slower
than a 486-33 under any circumstances) the scanner (unless you plan to do
really scan intensive work, then look out for copyright problems) the
screen (youcan make do with a normal screen and upgrade later)and the
CD-ROM (do your applications NEED CD-ROM access for clipart and fonts?).
DO NOT cut backin RAM (at least 16 MB) or hard disk space (not under 500 MB
and remember to check out removable media).
I strongly suggest picking up an issue of PC magazine, which is the bible
for DOS computers. They publish tests and recommendations of all the above
equipment usually once a year and you can see the relevant issues in your
local library.
If you have any specific questions please feel free to contact me by
E-Mail.
______________________________
Byron A. Johnson, Exec. Dir.
The Tampa Bay History Center
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Mail: P.O. Box 948
Tampa, FL 33601-0948
Phone: (813) 228-0097
FAX: (813) 223-7021
|
