P3D Re: Computer set-up for graphics

[twestwoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Tim Westwood)]

>Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 13:22:39 -0800
>From: Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>  writes:
>Subject: P3D Re: Computer set-up for graphics

>CD's are important because for such a low cost (about $3.50 per 600 MB) you
>can store very large amounts of data that's very easy and fast to read. A
>system with 6 to 8 GIG HD (partitioned to < 2 Gig) should be sufficient for
>a long time IF you have a CD-R to externalize most of your storage

        Another inexpensive back-up system is the new SparQ drive from
Syquest.  The drive is about $200 U.S. (internal IDE or external parallel)
and the cartridges are about $35 and hold 1 GB. It is basically a removable
hard drive-type system so the cartridges can be written to and rewritten
many times. (Unfortunately, it is only available for Windows).

        Concerning the partitioning of hard drives, it is my understanding
that if you are using the current versions of Windows 95 (OSR2 or later) or
Windows NT, you can chose to have your hard drive partitioned in the FAT32
(file allocation table) format.  It is also my understanding that, using
this format, there is very little "wasted" file space because the minimum
file size requirement is no longer a function of the partition size as was
the case with the older FAT16 format.  Furthermore, I was of the impression
that it is highly recommended that you use the FAT32 format if your hard
drive is 2.5 GB or larger.  Please feel free to correct me if I am
misunderstanding the FAT32 format.

        As far as graphics monitors are concerned, I recently purchased a
17" Viewsonic PT770 and am very happy with it.  I believe it has a
Mitsubishi "Diamontron" tube. Viewsonic also has a higher model of the same
monitor (PT775) that permits higher refresh rates at the higher
resolutions.

Tim Westwood
(Who still prefers using a five year old Mac to a 6 month old 200 MMX
Wintel for most things).

__________________________________________________________________
Dr. J. Tim Westwood
Department of Zoology, University of Toronto in Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Rd.; Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA  L5L 1C6
Ph. (905)828-3894  Fax (905)828-3792
Email: twestwoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  or twestwood@xxxxxxxxxxx
__________________________________________________________________



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