From: sauer@chs.dell.com (Charlie Sauer)
Subject: A few answers to Dell Unix FAQ [was Re: Dell support?]
Summary: Dell UNIX orphaned NOT!
Organization: Dell Computer Corporation
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 00:50:52 GMT

richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk) writes:
>Some time back there was a rumor that a number of the more important
>Dell support folks were let go or something.  I don't remember hearing
>anything more about this and was wondering what actually happened, if
>anything.

There have been many rumors and statements about Dell Unix. 
I've been directly responsible for the decision to generally ignore 
the rumors/statements.  I've been convinced that attempts at public 
responses would either not really be of value or require disclosing 
information that I will not disclose.  However, it may be possible
to usefully clarify a few things by trying to answer a few frequently 
asked questions.

Q.  Is Dell changing the source base for Dell Unix to V.4.2 or Solaris?

Dell does not plan to change Dell Unix to a new source base, neither 4.2
nor Solaris.  

Q.  Is Dell going to sell Solaris?  When?  Will there be special Solaris
    offerings for Dell Unix customers?

Dell plans to offer Solaris, as announced more than a year ago.  However, 
the current form of Solaris is not ready for general availability to end
users.  It is unknown now whether Dell will provide special Solaris offerings
for Dell Unix customers.  More specifics should be available by Spring '93.

Q.  Rumors are that Dell is dropping the Dell UNIX product in favor of a 
    third party Unix like SCO, or Solaris.  Is this true?  

Dell plans to continue offering Dell Unix.  In addition, Dell has offered SCO 
Unix for quite some time and plans to offer Solaris.

Q.  There have been some questions on the net regarding Dell downsizing it's
    Unix Development and Support staff.  Is this true?  

Dell is doing less development on the Unix product and thus has fewer developers
working on the product.  Some of the people are working on other projects at 
Dell and some have chosen to leave Dell.  The support staff is roughly the same 
size that it was a year ago.  

Q.  Why are certain machines used in Unix platforms no longer offered in
    your current product line?  Why are the high resolutions of X not
    supported on your new machines?  

In general, Dell replaces hardware products very frequently, to meet customer
demand and competitive requirements.  From the earliest days of Dell Unix based
on V.3, there has been a lag between the availability of new high-resolution
hardware and the availability of corresponding X support.  High resolution X 
support for the S3 805 VGA, as used in the new Dell 486/L, 486/M, 486/T 
and 486/ME products, is planned for the next release of Dell Unix.

Q.  When is the next release of Dell UNIX?  

The next release is planned for Spring '93.  It is planned to consist primarily 
of bug fixes and support for additional Dell hardware.
--
Charlie Sauer       Dell Computer Corp.            Internet: sauer@dell.com
(512) 343-3310      1807 West Braker Lane, Bldg C  CompuServe: 70540,1131
                    Austin, TX 78758
Newsgroups: comp.unix.pc-clone.32bit,comp.unix.sysv386,comp.unix.sys5.r4