Palo Alto, CA Ð A hardware/software combination called Upstart was scheduled to ship in late August that allows users to operate any NeXT machine without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse.
NeXT machines on a network dedicated as print, communication, file, or NFS servers do not require monitors or input devices. The Highland Digital product sells for $195 and allows users to buy plain workstation CPU units that are then controlled remotely over a heterogeneous network. Users can save over $1000 on a typical configuration.
The solution, developed in cooperation with Robert Nielsen, of Everest Technology, consists of a hardware plug that goes in the MegaPixel Display port, and software that traps messages that the CPU tries to send to the missing hardware.
This is the first product for Highland, a large NeXT VAR (value-added reseller). Its next product will be related to imaging and document management.
Highland Digital can be reached at 415/493-8550.