From: msc@ssigate.ssinc.com (Michael S. Cross)
Subject: Re: MKS Toolkit
Summary: Great stuff Maynard
Cc: x1gsd@VAX1.CC.UAKRON.EDU
Organization: Systems and Synchronous Inc., Naperville, IL
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 16:06:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.032848.4818@news.uakron.edu> x1gsd@VAX1.CC.UAKRON.EDU (Gregory S Delozier) writes:

>I, like many others, work with Unix all day, and develop DOS software
>in my spare time. I'd like to use unix tools on my DOS system, like
>a decent shell, the usual utilities and so forth. In reading this
>group, I notice that mention has been made of the 'tar' clone in the MKS
>toolkit as a solution to 'tar' problems. I'd like to hear some opinions
>about the MKS Toolkit ---  

OK, Here's what I've got to say.  BTW, I have Version 2.3 which is rather
old (1988).  Someday I'll plop down $225 for an upgrade.  Maybe after I get
a larger Hard Drive.

>	Is it worth the money?

YES.

>	Are the Unix-like tools good emulations?

Dang near perfect.  The compress(1) was not 16 bits, but there is a PD tool
called COMP430D.ZIP (or something a lot like that) that does the trick.

>	Does is critically reduce the space available to DOS programs?
>		(i.e. is the shell huge?)

Well, some of the newer DOS versions have done some work to reduce that
overhead.  I doubt that the MKS toolkit shrunk in subsequent releases.
In the computer world, I have yet to see a new release that is actually
smaller that a previous release.

As far as the shell goes, there are 4 ways to install it.

1. using DOS COMMAND.COM
2. \bin\SH.EXE via command.com  
3. \bin\SH.EXE via config.sys
4. \bin\LOGIN.EXE via \etc\INIT.EXE (config.sys also)

I happen to use #1 because I am a loyal Norton Commander user so I use
the MKS shell by invocation only.  All the important tools are available
from the DOS command prompt if the path is set up correctly.  The "/"
verses "\" problem will always be there, some programs have the DOS
version coded-in and there is nothing the user can do about it.

>	Is there a cheaper way do get the same results? 

Sure.  There are quite a few different PD/SW packages that provide
UNIX-type tools.  Check out SIMTEL in the FILUTL directory I think.
None of them have all the tools in one package and I found deficiencies
in each package.

>...and just general experiences with it...
>

I don't see why anyone would want a login prompt on a peecee.

>Is there maybe a mailing list for the MKS Toolkit or users?
>Finally, is MKS on the net or email anywhere?
>

I don't know of any mailing list.  MKS is on the NET.  I thought I had the
address around here somewhere.  The manual says uunet!watmath!mks!toolkit
but I don't know if the link is still active.  I can't seem to find them
listed in the UUMAPS.  (but what does that prove?  We aren't listed [yet]
either)

Chances are, they are replying to this message right now ...

Hope it helps (tm).

Mike

-- 
Michael S. Cross         Work: msc@ssihub.ssinc.com               708-505-4508
      Home: 73750.1363@CompuServe.com  (but not exactly *proud* of it)
Systems and Synchronous Inc., 900 E. Diehl Rd, Suite 110, Naperville, IL 60563
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Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.misc