Conference 7.286::digital

    http://www.digital.com/info/SOC/home.html is dated September 13, 1994.
    It includes the February, 1994, SOC and the August 1994 supplement. I
    suppose a new one is due out soon.
    
    The contact email address given for comments is decsoc@bxb.mts.dec.com
    (DECOSC @BXB).
    
    -Tom

    The final version has just been put up on the Electronic Connection.
    You can telnet to order.sales.digital.com or dial into 800-234-1998
    and kermit it do. We have alot of customers who are h very happy with
    this and using it everyday so give it a try.
    
    Barry
    

I've entered this message in here without the author's permission as it 
obviously is meant for wide distribution... I have sent a message to Susan
to make sure there is not problem.

regards,

Jim


From:	MSBCS::BARTOW "Susan M. Bartow, DTN 223-5732  01-Feb-1995 0940 -0500"  1-FEB-1995 09:40:52.24
To:	RCOCER::MICKOL
CC:	BARTOW
Subj:	RE: Is the latest SOC available?

Here are the copying instructions to my public directory.  I can't figure 
out why the IR doesn't stay up to date, but they're working on it.

Hope this helps.

Susan

To SOC on-line file users,

Please note that ALL files have been posted and are "final."
These are the files that are being printed for the hardcopy book.  
We will still post changes (urgent changes only) to these menus in this 
directory.  However, anything changed after 1/31/95 will only be an on-line 
change until the next publication.

Please check for updates to all files in the aaa_readfirst.txt file in the 
directory. This file contains revision dates for copies of the SOC menus.  
Please watch for periodic updates.  

The .doc files have been posted for those of you having trouble printing 
the .ps versions and for those who need to do customization. All .doc files
that are customized will no longer be considered SOC files, and are 
the sole responsibility of the "customizer(s)." 

Note: The .doc files have the same filenames with .doc extensions.



From: Susan Bartow 				DTN: 223-5732, MSBCS::BARTOW

Please find attached the copying instructions for the postscript
files of the Digital Systems and Options Catalog menus. 

***These files are also available from the Integrated Repository (VTX IR).  
   Select #3 (Search by Keyterm), then SO (Systems and Options), then enter Q2 
   Announcement as a keyterm to get a list of these files.

Distribution of the hardcopy is expected to begin soon.
TITLE: DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND OPTIONS CATALOG, JANUARY 1995 
PART NUMBER: EC-I3954-10



To copy the files for the Digital Systems and Options Catalog, January 1995 
type the following:

	$SPOOL COPY MSBCS::DISK$USER38:[DECSOC]JAN-01I.PS *.*

This will copy the AlphaStation 200 section  to your account. You
can then print the file on your local PostScript printer.  The following
is a listing of the draft files available. 

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the Systems and 
Options Catalog, please send them to DECSOC@BXB or contact Susan Bartow at 
MSBCS::BARTOW or DTN 223-5732.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-00.PS	Highlights of What's New			01/31/95
		Copyright page
		Table of Contents

Chapter 1:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01A.PS	Alpha AXP Systems Comparison Chart		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01B.PS	DECpc AXP 150 Deskside PC			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01C.PS	DEC 2000 Model 300 AXP Server			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
***
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01E.PS	DEC 3000 Model 300X/300LX AXP Workstations	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01F.PS	DEC 3000 Model 600/700 AXP Desktop Workstation	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01G.PS	DEC 3000 Model 900 AXP Deskside Workstation	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01H.PS	Rackmountable DEC 3000 AXP			01/31/95
                 Workstations and Servers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01I.PS	AlphaStation 200 4/166 and 4/233 		01/31/95
         	 Desktop Workstations				
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01J.PS	AlphaStation 400 4/233 Mini Tower Workstations	01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01K.PS	AlphaServer 1000 4/200 Systems			01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01L.PS	Rackmount AlphaServer 1000 Systems		01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01M.PS	AlphaServer 2000 4/200 Systems			01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01N.PS	AlphaServer 2100 4/200 and 4/275 Systems	01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01O.PS	AlphaServer 2100 4/200 and 4/275 		01/31/95
                 Rackmount Systems
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01P.PS	AlphaServer 2100 4/200 and 4/275 		01/31/95
                 Cabinet Systems
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01Q.PS	DEC 4000 Model 700 AXP Servers			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-01R.PS	DEC 7000 Model 700 AXP Enterprise Servers	01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Note: JAN-01D.PS has been deleted. The DEC 2000 Model 500 AXP was put 
    on maintenance only in December.

Chapter 2:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02A.PS	VAX Systems Comparison Chart			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02B.PS	VAXstation 4000 VLC				01/31/95
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02C.PS  	VAXstation 4000 Model 60			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02D.PS	VAXstation 4000 Model 90A			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02E.PS	MicroVAX 3100 Systems and Servers		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02F.PS	VAX 4000 Model 105A Systems and Servers		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02G.PS	VAX 4000 Model 505A/705A Systems and Servers	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02H.PS	Rack-Mountable VAX 4000 Systems			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-02I.PS	VAX 7000 ENTERPRISE SERVERS			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-03A.PS	DECstation/DECsystems Comparison Chart		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-03B.PS	DECstation 5000 Model 133			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-03C.PS	DECstation 5000 Model 240			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-03D.PS	DECsystem 5000 Model 240			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-04.PS	ADVANTAGE-UPGRADES				01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5:
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-05A.PS	Network Personal Computing--PATHWORKS		01/31/95
		PC Networking Hardware				
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-05B.PS	DECpc Personal Computers			01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-06A.PS	OpenVMS Cluster Configuration Details		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-06B.PS	AdvantageClusters				01/31/95
		DECsafe Available Server
		Polycenter Console Manager
		OpenVMS Cluster Options
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
		

Chapter 7:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07A.PS	Network Interface Cards and Adapters for	01/31/95
		 VAX/DECsystems/Alpha AXP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07B.PS	Hubs, Hub Management, and LAN Monitoring	01/31/95 
		 Products
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07C.PS	Network Access and Communications Servers	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07D.PS	Repeaters, Bridges, Routers, and Brouters	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07E.PS	Switches					01/31/95
		Concentrators and Multistation Access Units
		Channelworks
		Transceivers/Media Access Units
		Internetworking Products
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07F.PS	Host-Based Communications Controllers		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07G.PS	Modems						01/31/95
		DECvoice and DECtalk Speech Synthesizers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-07H.PS	OPEN DECconnect Products and Cables		01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08A.PS	Digital Storage Solutions			01/31/95
		Comparison Charts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08B.PS	StorageWorks Family Modular Storage Expansion	01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08C.PS	Expansion Boxes					01/31/95
		Storage Controllers/Adapters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08D.PS	RAID Storage Subsystems				01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08E.PS	Storage I/O Servers				01/31/95
		Storage Arrays
		Storage Array Building Blocks
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08F.PS	Disk Devices					01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08G.PS	Network Storage Servers				01/31/95
		Optical Devices
		CD-ROM Devices
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-08H.PS	Tape Devices (Cartridge Subsystems)		01/31/95
		Tape Devices
		Tape Devices (Reel-to-Reel)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-09A.PS	Comparison Charts				01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-09B.PS	X Terminals and Video Terminals			01/31/95
		Scanners
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-09C.PS	Non-impact Printers -- Electrophotographic	01/31/95
		Non-impact Printers -- Laser
		Non-impact Printers -- Thermal
		Non-impact Printer -- Ink Jet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-09D.PS	Impact Printers -- Dot matrix			01/31/95
		Impact Printers -- Line matrix
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-09E.PS	Printer Software				01/31/95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 10: 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-10.PS	Environmental Products				01/31/95

Chapter 11: 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-11.PS	Network Application Support			1/31/95
		Services

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
								Last
Filename	Contents				 	Revision date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN-IDX.PS	Index						01/31/95


    re: .3
    
    Jim - Super! Exactly what I wanted.
    
    Thanks, Mike

    And how does one order the harcopy book; I can't seem to find an
    orderable part number in LOS or on the IR.
    
    Any pointers for getting a bound hardcopy book .vs. copying and
    printing my own?
    
    Thx,
    
    -j

    
    	re:-1
    
    	That's because the *new* SOC is not available yet. The last
    "hardcopy" SOC is the Feb. 94 catalog with a supplemental SOC
    published in August 94.
    
    	Us field types are waiting patiently.
    
    		the Greyhawk

    note .3 has the order number for the January 1995 SOC, according to 
    Moore Business Systems(literature fulfillment) these are back-
    ordered, shipping sometime end February.  Evidently they have orders
    for 43,000 at this point, so it may take time to get your new order.
    By the way, you get to the online order system via VTX. 

    re: <last 2>
    
    Caught me!  I didn't read all of .3.  
    
    But I will!
    
    Thanks,
    
    -j

    re: .-1
    
    It was there last night (still with the 1994 version), but I can't
    access it this morning either, nor can I reach the main external page.
    www.digital.com has had a lot of overload problems recently. I'm
    getting "connection refused" this morning.
    
    -Tom

    Some (and maybe all) of the postscript files for the Systems and Option
    Catalog located at MSBCS::DISK$USER38:[DECSOC] are not printable from
    VAX/VMS. They seem to have a control character at the beginning and end
    of the file. In some cases I was able to edit out these characters, but
    for instance with the file JAN-01F.PS none of the editors I tried was
    able to handle the file. I get an error message "31929 byte records too
    large for user's buffer".
    
    Is there any chance of getting these files cleaned up to be printable?
    
    Mike

    I think there is a reset module (that can be used for DCPS print
    queues on VMS) which will strip off Ctrl+D characters with our
    printers that can't digest it.
    
    Check in ONTIME::POSTSCRIPT_PRINTING, maybe.
    
    ...petri

    JAN-01F prints on an LPS20 attached to my VAX/VMS system, and I've
    printed most of the rest without any problems. I agree the editors
    don't seem to like it! Maybe it is your queue setups that need some
    attention.
    
    Andrew

>            <<< Note 3672.12 by EICMFG::MMCCREADY "Mike McCready" >>>
>                      -< Non-printable postscript files >-
>
>    Some (and maybe all) of the postscript files for the Systems and Option
>    Catalog located at MSBCS::DISK$USER38:[DECSOC] are not printable from
>    VAX/VMS. They seem to have a control character at the beginning and end
>    of the file. 

I don't know the files, but (as a contributor the the aforementioned
POSTSCRIPT_PRINTING notes file) I certainly know the problem.

The files would have been generated by a PC-based driver program that presumes
output is going to a serial or parallel-connected printer of some sort,
not a network-connected PrintServer.
Additionally, it is likely that these files can't be printed in duplex
or from the large capacity input tray (or only from these sources),
since these old drivers did not have the concept of "printer defaults."

The problem needs to be fixed when the files are generated, by either
checking the right entries in the driver dialog boxes OR by switching to
a more modern, efficient, printer-friendly driver.

>>>>>> Is anybody from the Chief Engineer's Office listening? <<<<<<

Workarounds can be found in ONTIME::POSTSCRIPT_PRINTING,
but the simple fix is for the PrintServer queues to be set up
to include the PS_SUPPLEMENT module to re-map the troublesome commands.

- tom]

    The Systems and Options Catalog is not produced by the "Chief
    Engineer's Office".  The editors of the SOC are Susan Bartow and Mari
    Staples.  Both are located in PKO3.  Susan, however, is out on
    maternity leave.  I suggest you direct any questions/suggestions to
    Mari.  

    Susan is aware of the problem.
    
    If you go for the SOC through VTX IR, you will find a way to copy each
    of these files to your local system (each of the files has already been
    cleaned up).
    
    Randy
    

    re: .15
    
    Tom
    
    I tried the suggestion about modifying the postscript system but my
    workstation is not the load machine for the PrintServer so I couldn't
    implement the PS_SUPPLEMENT solution and I couldn't get the other
    solution which involved editing fixes out of a the postscript
    correction file LPS$somethingorother.PS to work either.
    
    re: .17
    
    Randy
    
    Thanks for letting me know that VTX IR has been cleaned up. The problem
    with VTX IR is that it seems to take literally hours for these
    postscript files to arrive and unlike VMS SPOOL COPY you don't get any
    indication of estimated time of arrival. 
    
    Mike

    I knew I should have put this in to begin with...
    
    
    A common complaint (certainly one of mine) was having to deal with mail
    operations against list of files -- the SOC being the single largest
    one I had gone after.
    
    Sooooo, I placed a feedback message to the IR folks.  They called me
    back and informed me of two useful pieces of info.
    
    1.  When entering the IR main menu, check out the HOW TO USe option. 
    It describes how to (SPOOL/FTSV COPY) large quantities of documents
    from the IR (they are all just VMS files).  All documents are stored at
    
    		WWSMIR::xx$LIB:*.*     where xx is the two letter
    					designation for the document type
    
    For our example here, WWSMIR::SO$LIB:*.* has the edited PS files that
    you are looking for.
    
    
    2.  Coming soon, IR will provide the capability of mailing entire lists
    (in response to your queries) and the documents included in the lists.
    A step forward.
    
    
    I hope this helps you.
    
    Randy
    
    
    
    One last comment:  the hardcopy edition is available from the LOS folks
    under part #EC-I3954-10.  I took some out to my customers this week and
    watched them salivate (yes, there is still some fun at Digital -
    dealing with customers who still want our product after we slap em in
    the face ten or twenty times).
    
    One more last comment:  I still can't figure out why a technology sales
    company won't distribute sales catalogs internally anymore.  However, I
    can still buy them for myself and my customers.  Just one more case of
    business insanity from the clueless up above.  I guess that must mean
    that I'm pretty clueless down below!!!
    
    

re:            <<< Note 3672.12 by EICMFG::MMCCREADY "Mike McCready" >>>
                      -< Non-printable postscript files >-

>    Some (and maybe all) of the postscript files for the Systems and Option
>    Catalog located at MSBCS::DISK$USER38:[DECSOC] are not printable from
>    VAX/VMS. They seem to have a control character at the beginning and end
>    of the file. In some cases I was able to edit out these characters, but
>    for instance with the file JAN-01F.PS none of the editors I tried was
>    able to handle the file. I get an error message "31929 byte records too
>    large for user's buffer".
    
    I didn't find the Control-D characters or long reconds in the
    file you mentioned. The files in this directory are quite 
    fragile however, i.e. non-portable.

    They look they were created with Microsoft's PostScript driver 
    for an LPS-20 (or 32) printer. The SSB QA checker for PostScript
    file identifies the following potential problems:

    with JAN-01A.PS

	  Device-dependent operators not enclosed inside %%Begin-%%EndFeature:
	*   setduplexmode 1 time
	*   setjobtimeout 1 time
	*   setpapertray 1 time
	  Document problems:
	* Clear-Memory-Per-Page failure 3 times
	  PS error handler modified


    These files will likely bomb on a printer which does not have a 
    papertray numbered "3". There isn't much to be done about that
    except select a more generic printer.

    However, the code would have been much more robust had the 
    following settings been used under Advanced Print Options:

    DIS-ABLE print error messages.

    ENABLE Clear Memory per Page.

    Note: the generators of the documents did well to use PostScript
    printer fonts instead of TrueType fonts and select the option
    for Document Structuring Conventions.

    Regards,
    Bob Anderson, SSB

    well, I like tools.  Can I get a copy of "SSB QA checker for PostScript
    files" somewhere on the net?
    
    Mark

    re: .20
    
    Bob
    
    > I didn't find the Control-D characters or long reconds in the file you
    > mentioned. The files in this directory are quite fragile however, i.e.
    > non-portable.
    
    I got in touch with Mairie Staples off-line and she has already started
    correcting the files with the Control-D characters in them, which is
    why you couldn't find them any more!
    
    By the way VTX IR document CS001B contains detailed guidelines for
    creating post-script files for mass-consumption.
    
    Mike
    

    Can some one tell me how some one (or business) becomes an OEM? 
    
    Thanks in advance.

    Can anybody comment on the state of the Systems and Options Catalog
    these days.
    
    Real hard to sell without a real catalog.  
    
    (hmmph, maybe we're really not supposed to sell any of the new stuff!)
    
    Randy
    

    I suggest you contact Mari Staples, current SOC Editor.  She can be
    reached at BEEMER::STAPLES

    DEC direct online for your customers.
    
    http://www2.service.digital.com/ddi/html/tocmain.html
    
    Systems/options catalog
    
    http://www.digital.com/info/SOC/
    
    Henry.