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>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> I think this is referred to as "distributed processing"..
MB>Mind if I put in my two cents?
Why not?  Every cent counts!    ;-)
MB>What we call a "main frame" is a system that has a central 
MB>"Master processor" for lack of a better term.  In a main frame 
MB>system each terminal is essentially dumb, because without the
MB>main frame it is not capable of performing any independent work.
MB>The key factor is that your terminal is "slaved" to the central 
MB>or master processor.
MB>That is the advantage of a PC network.  Each person can work
MB>independently, any they only access the network when they need a 
MB>file off the server or another persons hard drive, accessing the 
MB>printer, fax machine, or whatever.  So if the server goes down, 
MB>each station can work independently until the network goes back up.
MB>Does that help?
Probably!  ;-)
Was (am) I correct in terming a pc network as an example of
distributed processing (not to be confused with parallel
processing)?  In contrast, a mainframe would constitute
centralized processing?
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 * MR/2 2.26 * DOS=HIGH? I knew it was on something...
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