From: tdunn@ecst.csuchico.edu (Tim Dunn)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.pcgeos
Subject: What.is Geos, or Martin.brilliant's less than optimal experiences
Date: 13 Sep 92 21:21:22 GMT
Organization: California State University, Chico


I really don't know how to say this.  I don't mean this to be a personal
attack, nor an apology for an [OS | app | bundled package] that I feel
strongly for but will admit is limited as it stands.  I've been following
this thread between (largely) Martin Brilliant and Shag (and others) for
a few days.

This is my impressions of the whole matter:

1) Shag strongly supports Geos.  No kidding, I've been reading this group
   and his work since it's inception (and large portions of this group's
   volume is his stuff.)  It's good stuff, honest and a large part unbiased
   when you account for his strong approval of Geos.
2) Mr. Brilliant has had Geos hang up his modem, which is a known function
   of GeoComm.  Whether it is a 'feature' or a 'bug' is defined by my
   roommate (a software tester) as whether it is in the manual.  I seem to
   recall that it *is* in the manual, so it is a feature, albeit an 
   undesirable one.
3) Geosworks the company is (like any and all others) coming out with a
   new version "soon." We have one member of the group who is unable to
   share his knowledge of this matter (for obvious and good reason) so we
   are largely left with hype for what is up and coming.
4) The initial problem (dropping the connection) has been largely replaced
   with accusations and assertations of whether or not Geos is an OS.  I
   am not qualified to speak of this matter on a technical term, but I can
   and will speak of it as a user: if such time as an app comes out that 
   I find indespensible and said app requries another program be it's platform
   (such as PageMaker and Windows) then I will utilize the platform.  Until
   that time, that platform is either a) undesired or b) unused.  Geos right
   now may or may not be an OS, but the fact remains that I have no compelling
   reason to load it aside from GeosWrite.
5) On the matter of GeosWrite, I don't need mail merge, I don't write to
   senators in bulk, and I miss any of the features of my other word processors
   aside from Global functions (font change, search-n-replace).  This is a 
   serious shortcoming, but in light of the speed and other capabilities of
   the application, I am willing to live with it.  It suits me.

To Mr. Brilliant:

Conclusion (and a way for me to stop rambling) If it suits your needs, then
fine, use it.  If not, then I will happily show you how to remove it, and
will give recommendations of programs that may better suit your needs.  If 
your needs are unreasonable, then I will say so (and I do not believe they
are currently.)  However, for you to maintain a belligerent tone and to pass
judgement on a whole family of software (OS or not) is distasteful.  Your
complaints to this group will not cause any change (unless John D. reads it)
and your attitude is wasted.  Perhaps you should considering dealing with
the company, or not with the software until the mythical 2.0 is released.
It's not helping matters any right now.
-- 
"Deliver yesterday, code today, think tomorrow."