-=> Quoting Ron Mcdermott to Sheila King <=-
 
 PS> The concept of a mainframe is a centralized computer as a sources of
 PS> information, or a program that is not best ran on many different
 PS> computers, but on one (or a Community of Computers).
 
 SK>Here is the crux of our difficulty. This is NOT the idea of a mainframe
 SK>(or not exactly). Given the history of discussion on this thread, I
 SK>believe what you are really referring to is a "computer network" which
 SK>is not necessarily a mainframe, although it might possibly include one.
 SK>A mainframe, as my husband tells me, is one large, single computer with
 SK>many users using it simultaneously (as opposed to PC's which are usually
 SK>one computer per user and also as opposed to a network server--which you
 SK>are referring to--which are "central" computers that provide info and
 SK>programs to client computers through a network.).
 RM> 
 RM> I think this is referred to as "distributed processing"..
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Mind if I put in my two cents?  What we call a "main frame" is a system that
has a central "Master processor" for lack of a better term.  In a main frame
system each terminal is essentially dumb, because without the main frame
it is not capable of performing any independent work.  These days alot of
companies use what is referred to as a tower or a mini tower.  These can be
thought of as mini main frames.  The key factor is that your terminal is
"slaved" to the central or master processor.
Most "dummy terminals" have a processor on board, but it is not capable of 
doing any type of stand alone or on board processing.  Your printer probably 
also has a processor in it.  The disadvantage of a "main frame" is that if 
the main frame goes down, no body can do any independent work.  That is the 
advantage of a PC network.  Each person can work independently, any they only 
access the network when they need a file off the server or another persons 
hard
drive, accessing the printer, fax machine, or whatever.  So if the server
goes down, each station can work independently until the network goes back
up.
Does that help?
Mike Bowen
... "What?!? This isn't the Files section?!?"
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