They probably
found the price of (replacement) vt520s going up a bit too
 much for the size of their company. And a small Linux capable box for
 terminal like jobs can be had _very_ cheap - the alix3d3 sells for
 around USD 125 including systemboard, case and powerbrick. Thats a
 AMD Geode 500 Mhz with 256 MB of memory, network, USB, VGA (can do
 1280x1024), audio on board. Very low power draw as well, boots from CF.
 The case is about 15x15x3 cm, you could just stick that behind the monitor. 
 An AMD Geode 500 Mhz with 256 MB of memory, network, USB, VGA (can
 do1280x1024), audio on board, just to be a dumb terminal.
 Bloat? What bloat? 
 
  Yeah, it's pretty disgusting.  Amazingly though, it's actually cheaper
to do it that way than to buy a VT520.  Scary stuff.
            -Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Port Charlotte, FL