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[qwms-avib AT dea.spamcon.org]

keesan2 AT cyberspace.org wrote:
> 
> svgalib used with my Trident 8900 1M RAM VESA 1.2 
> compatible card, at 640x480 resolution, only displays 
> 8-bit color.

It depends on what mode is set.  Possible modes in 
svgalib are:  640x480x32K  640x480x64K  640x480x16M
800x600x32K  800x600x64K.  Whether your video card
is capable of displaying that number of colors is
a different question.  Also, the application itself
may not permit all these modes.

> Will the X SVGA server display 8 or 24-bit color 
> from this card?

The SVGA Xserver will display whichever color depth 
you tell it to (in /etc/XF86Config).

> Just imagine what you could achieve by networking 
> two P166s!  

I don't think replacing the 486-66 with a P166 would
have much effect.  The 486 was handling the load just
fine.  

> Do you do this with just one monitor and keyboard?  

Yes.  It helps to have two monitors/keyboards while
you are setting things up, but once everything is 
working properly, one computer can be headless.

> Would the better video card go in the P166 or
> the 486?

On the 486.  PCI is best (although VLB will do).

Cheers,
Steven