
IT in the office
Multi-user computers
In this, a number of terminals are linked to a host computer, each one
having access to its processing power and to its hard disk and other
peripherals. The terminals can be dumb, i.e. keyboard-and-screen
units lacking any processing power of their own, or
intelligent,
i.e.
possessing their own processing power. PCs are sometimes used as
intelligent terminals.
This set up offers similar advantages to a network, but the host
computer is normally much more powerful than the ordinary PC and
therefore able to run more powerful software. IBM ATs and
compatibles have multi-user capabilities, being able to suppor ...