Masonry Magazine October 1994 Page. 39
`
PC Sharing
In a multi-user environment, even if multiple users are working at once, be assured that there is only one "adding machine" in there and it can only do one thing at a time. It is just real fast at switching between users, sort of a super juggler.
We are only going to deal with PC's running either DOS or Windows, which is the type used by about 95 percent of the mason contractors who utilize computers. To those contractors without computers, here is some food for thought-"If you're not moving ahead you're falling behind." So start moving ahead and computerize.
Back to that PC in your office. The information and functionality of it can be shared to varying degrees. The printed information using multi-part paper and just separating the copies is easily shared. Installing Windows can bring some program sharing. DOS was designed to focus all the computer power on one program. Today a 486DX2/66 runs about 150 times faster than the first IBM 8088 computer for which DOS was designed.
This tremendous power now exceeds that of most early 80's mini-computers. So why not bring to the PC some of the shared memory and computing functions of mini/main-frame operating systems, thus the creation and use of Windows. If you are not using Windows, consider, it is the future.
So, you have just bought PC number two. Should you buy a second printer or share/network the one you have? Most businesses have a need for a printer capable of good quality word processing printing. Either a laser or ink jet type printer does best.
For checks, W2's, and other form type printing, as well as reports and accounting information, dot matrix printers do fine. If you have two machines, probably one printer of each type would seem prudent. Now comes the ideas for networking. Both people at some time desire to use each of the different printers. Does this require networking?
For starters, it could be determined that Computer "A" is the word processing machine and Computer "B" perhaps the estimating machine. When one wants to do word processing, sit down at Computer "A," likewise with estimating and Computer "B." While not real technically slick this does work in many cases and costs nothing. If your situation is more like, my computer is Unit "A" and his/her computer is Unit "B," the two printers can be located close to each other; just move the cables between the printers as needed. Again no technology, no cost.
The next level of sharing would be an "X" switch box for around $25.00. This switch on setting one would connect the laser to "A" and the dot matrix to "B." Switching to the other setting the laser would be connected to "B" and the dot matrix to "A." Not bad for the money. There are a couple of other more complex versions of switches both manual and automatic. Any switch under $100.00 that can make the two users happy would do fine.
If you happen to be one of the 500 or so largest mason contractors you may have 3 or more PC's. Still if you have only 1 accounting system with its own printer and several estimators all sharing a second printer you can still provide very practical solutions to the printer sharing problem with switches. However, there are some types of net-
Continued on Page 45
`
WECK
Designer Shapes
Only WECK gives you all the options! New Allbend lets you turn arcs and corners in 22 1/2° increments, or combine two blocks to make 45°. They mix beautifully with 4" x 8" or 8" x 8" blocks, or the WECK corner blocks that give you a true bull-nose, 90° corner.
New Doublends and WeckEnds give you partitions with open heads and jambs, or step-downs with no other border materials. Designs you've only dreamed about are happening! Let WECK give you the edge.
`
Glashaus Inc.
415 West Golf Road
Suite 13
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
708/640-6910 FAX: 708/640-6955
MASONRY-SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 1994 39