HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ccai!grover@skybridge.SCL.CWRU.Edu (grover davidson)
Subject: Re: Source
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 14:45:06 GMT

> 
> Barry Gorman brought up a good point in asking for Prime to release the
> source code to the 'C' Libraries.
> I think we need to start a major stink to get Prime to release all source code
> for Primos, libraries, utilities, compilers, etc.  If they aren't planning
> on selling any more machines, why not?  I may need to update primos - I have
> a source license - but I may need to update products that rely on Primos for
> which source hasn't been being released (DRM for one).    I need that source
> code, and it may make a difference for all of us that will be running some
> part of our business on a Prime for several years yet.
> I also want the source code for PI, or at the very least have source code
> to PI put into a trust account that if it is sold, axed, or not supported
> by ComputerVision that it would be available from that trust to licensees.
> Mike O'Rear, working at but not speaking for, USC.
> 
> 
This makes several assumptions. 
1) Everyone who gets the source will be qualified to change it. keep in mind
that there WILL be shops that will change the source, break the system, and
then call Prime. You can put whatever disclaimers in the source that you 
want, but someone will do this. 

2) There will need to be a central group that will release patches to the 
operating system, just as Prime does today. Otherwise you will have alot
people who will publish this fix and that fix without being certain that
it doesn't break anything else.

3) PI is still a very viable commercial product. I would seriously doubt 
that until this avenue is explored completely, Prime will release any
of the source code. And even then, there may still be some Pick stuff in
the source code that prevents it from being released to the public.

4) The 'C' compiler/libraries. see 1 & 2 above. VERY few people are able
to work on compilers.

These are some great ideas, but make sure that there is a structure to 
the system. Is someone willing to take over 'ownership' and maintain,
test, and distribute the code? Is Prime going to be unable to do this 
in the future? How far off in the future? And util that time, how much
support is Prime going to provide? Will it be business as usual for the next
several years?


-- 
Grover Davidson II               | The opinions expressed here are solely mine
Conley, Canitano, & Assoc., Inc. | and in no way reflect any opinions or 
voice: 216-831-6240              | policies of my employer, even if they may
internet: grover@ccai.clv.oh.us  | agree with them, and especially if they
or grover@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu | don't agree with them.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: gml4410@ggr.co.uk (Lack Mr G M)
Subject: Re: PRIME
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 16:48:16 GMT

>                                                       (Granted that we
> had more problems with uninitialized data causing access violations or
> pointer faults, both features of the 50 series architecture...)

     I  can't  see  why  this  is  a  50  series  feature.  If you don't
initialize your data then you should expect  strange  things.   I  would
rather  get  an  AV$  or  PF$  when using uninitialized data rather than
getting an apparently valid access. 

Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: franl@centerline.com (Fran Litterio)
Subject: Re: PRIME
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
	<DRAND.92Jul23131236@spinner.osf.org>
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 21:13:11 GMT

drand@spinner.osf.org (Douglas Rand) writes:

> franl@centerline.com (Fran Litterio) writes:
> 
> > MSO@eeyore.usc.edu (Mike O'Rear) writes:
> > 
> > > Word has reached me from a *very* well placed and reliable mole inside
> > > of COPM (PRIME-AS-WE-KNEW-IT) that COPM will close its doors as of
> > > Aug. 31, 1992.
> > 
> > A Prime employee has told me that there was a 1:30 PM meeting today
> > (Wednesday, July 22, 1992) at which this was indeed announced.  This
> > employee said "All CSBU employees are on their notification period as
> > of Monday."  I assume that CSBU and COPM are nearly synonymous.

> I had a very good time working at PRIME back when.  It does sadden me
> to see the company flow down the commode and into oblivion.

Me too.  I have many enjoyable memories of life within Building 10
(Prime's main engineering building) and particularly in the
Translators Inc. group.  The 50 Series had its good and bad points,
and I generally liked it despite the fact that all programs ran in the
same address space.

So what becomes of that architecture now?  Can another company buy the
rights to manufacture a 50 Series machine?  Will a perfectly usuable
super-minicomputer architecture be forced to collect dust just because
the company that developed it is gone?  With some work, it could be
made to support UNIX (I've heard that some university has BSD UNIX
running native on the 50 Series).  Is that enough of an opportunity to
even bother founding a new company?
--
franl@centerline.com   || Fran Litterio                               
uunet!centerline!franl || CenterLine Software R&D                     
617-498-3255           || 10 Fawcett St, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138-1110
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: geoff@hawkesbury.uws.EDU.AU (Geoff Russell)
Subject: Cartridge tape access on an EXL
Summary: Accessing second logical tape
Organization: University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 22:38:07 GMT

Could someone explain to me how I can access the second logical tape on a
cartridge tape on a Prime EXL 7330. I have been trying to use cpio but
cannot find an explanation on accessing the second logical tape.

Geoff Russell
University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury.
From: MSO@eeyore.usc.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
Subject: SCPIUG
Date: 28 Jul 92 13:54:19 GMT
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM

On a bit of a lighter note:
It would seem that we need to change the name of SCPIUG
Southern California Prime Information User Group
to something.  Any ideas?
SCPIWAOG has already been suggusted -
So Cal PI Widows And Orphans User Group.
SPIOG - Shaky PI Orphans Group was also suggested.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: rayr@tbird5.prime.com (Ray Ratchup)
Subject: Re: Source
Reply-To: rayr@s34.prime.com
Organization: Prime Computer
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 15:13:54 GMT

Re posting:

> vv bnv vcdfgfmmddhdhmhnnn, nb vkh lihgkkjvv

                 An Apologia

 Sorry about that posting- no, it was not in code.
What happened was that an office neighbor brought
3 of his kids in to the office. And as he was   
cleaning up, a possibly important phone call
arrived...

 While I was entertaining the kids, his precocious
4 year old managed to pull down XRN; hit followup;
type a response in the new window and; do the send
(among other things). (Actually I think that she
did pretty good.)

Such is the story,


Ray
 
 
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: CHUCK@pel.ac.uk (Chuck Foster)
Subject: primos on the pc
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 20:46:03 GMT

> You can get something of the Primos command environment on the pc. A ...

That's nice. What I would like is a nice library with all the calls in,
then I wouldn't have to rewrite all my programs :-)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: Eric@CCCC.CC.Colorado.Edu (Eric Ross)
Subject: Re: Source
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Organization: Colorado College, Colorado Springs Colorado
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 23:03:18 GMT

>--- Reply by JOHN_DONAT :
>
>Mike,
>
>Whatever gave you the idea that Prime will not be supporting Primos, et
>al?  I work for PrimeService (in the field), and all the stuff that we are
>getting from the region indicates that we (PrimeService) has and will
>continue to support and fix and upgrade Primos.  Honestly, I do not know
>how long, but I can bet it will be in the years timeframe instead of
>months.
>
>Again (and again) Primos upgrades and fixes have for quite a while come
>from PrimeService, not the CSBU.  There will also, as far as I know, be
>Engineering people in P/S for serious engineering problems (just as it is
>now).
>
>Please do not make assumptions or jump to conclusions when this silliness
>is still only 3 working days old.
>
>
>                                               John E. Donat
>                                     Customer Service Engineer
>                                         Chicago Branch
>The opinions expressed here are DEFINATELY not those of my employer!!!!!!
>etcetera, etcetera, etcetera......

John:

Admitteddly, we're panicing, but it's a result of a real lack of
information.  For many of us, our asses are really on the line -- Prime's
in position to decide if we have our jobs a year from now.

Personally, I'm less concerned about software support than I am about
hardware support.  The revs of Primos and Information we're running
right now would serve us well enough for a few years until we can
get onto other hardware.

But, if I can't get a new CPU board or a disk drive when I need one....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erc Ross  (eric@cccc.cc.colorado.edu)        Colorado College
Administrative Computing                      14 E. Cache la Poudre
(719) 389-6452                                Colorado Springs, CO  80903
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: akc@pilot.njin.net (Albert K. Costanzo)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
Subject: SOURCE and MORE SOURCE Code for PRIMOS
Date: 29 Jul 92 17:39:16 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.


Hello Everyone,

Concerning teh source code question:

I have all the source code to Primos even the S1 tape which --never--
left building 10.

SO stop panicking Please!!! If all of Prime Computer blew up, and
Prime Service washed away and my non-disclosure agreement became
invalid, I would gladly share it with you all :-)

PS: I have not said much recently about any of this (and I would never
    say I told you so but...)

PPS: For anyone interested, I decided to open my own company, 
     AKC Consulting. We will do custom work to 50 Series OS
     comm_controller command, whatnot for a price.  You also must
     have proper liscing agreements with Prime.

      We will open for business within 2 or three days.  The phone
      number is (908) 298-9000.  E-Mail Al@AKC.COM (valid starting
      next week or whenever the nic is done)
    
      Operators are already manning the phones for the onslaught of
      business... :-)
   
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: Toni@Blx-S.Prime.COM (Toni van de Wiel)
Subject: re: bibi world
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Organization: PrimeService, De Meern, The Netherlands
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 10:22:24 GMT

From the keyboard of Chuck Foster <CHUCK@pel.ac.uk>:
> I'm uncertain as to what will happen to mail as the Sun will be handling
> it; I hope to move into this highly interesting area anyway, so it'll be
> fun learning (and now everyone will so "oh no it isn't!!!!).

BTW: do you know how to create a perfectly ok sendmail.cf file?
- startup VI, and enter insert mode
- grab your keyboard and hold it firmly with both hands
- now bang it at you head at least five times
And look, amazing, just how a sendmail.cf should look like... ;-)

> All is not completely lost though, as we should be on the internet by the
> end of September; the Sun ought to route the IP packets and then I could
> still telnet to places (for as long as it lasts :-)).

That means that if you would start using XElink (Primos TCP/IP 3.0 ??)
you could finally Relay with us!

cheerz!
++Toni;
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Toni van de Wiel, Systems Support Engineer, PrimeService, The Netherlands
  phone: +31 3406 95597   fax: +31 3406 63868    mail: Toni@Blx-S.Prime.COM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: R.KITTREDGE@MD-B.Prime.COM (Roland Kittredge - Marketing 620-2800 x4666, 508)
Subject: Customer Letter
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 19:22:12 GMT

July 29, 1992

Dear Customer:

As you may be aware, Prime Computer previously disclosed that, as one
element in a comprehensive recapitalization program, it was discontinuing
the operations of the Computer Systems Business Unit and conducting
discussions for the sale of that unit to its current managers.

Subsequently, the Company conducted a formal, detailed review of the
development program for planned new high-end systems (the Prime 5520 and
5540) and determined that it was doubtful these products would be
available in a timeframe acceptable to our customers.  Accordingly, Prime
will not proceed with the development of these systems.

This decision changed the economic feasibility of the proposed management
buyout for both the Company and the unit's management team.  Accordingly,
there will be no sale to the management team and the Company will proceed
with its plan to discontinue operations of the Computer Systems Business
Unit.  PrimeService, the Company's service business unit, has assumed
responsibility for the remaining CSBU operations, including Prime
INFORMATION and PI/open products.

PrimeService has established itself as one of the premier service
organizations in the industry and remains committed to helping you
optimize your technology investment, whether this means assisting you in
the ongoing use of your 50 Series systems, or helping you to orchestrate a
transition to alternative platforms with its conversion/migration
services, open systems networking, and multivendor support programs.

We have established a telephone hotline for CSBU customers in the United
States,
                     1 (800) 800-PRIME

When calling, request the CSBU customer hotline.  It is in operation
Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
to specifically address your questions relative to this recent decision
such as product availability, ordering procedures, etc.

For CSBU customers outside the United States, telephone hotlines are being
established this week, and you will be notified as soon as they are
activated.

In closing, I want to thank you for your loyalty and support over the
years.  We look forward to continuing our working relationship with you.

Sincerely,



John J. Shields,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime
From: CHUCK@pel.ac.uk (Chuck Foster)
Subject: rev23.3 logging
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 14:01:42 GMT

Will there be a new set of manuals for 23.3? Or just a set of updates to add
to the various existing ones? Just wondering whether I'm going to be
spending a pleasant afternoon shifting pages around again :-)

Actually we'll be very pleased once Rev23.3 get here in a couple of weeks,
as the new login logging (!) is going to be very important. Yesterday
someboody was attempting to hack into the operations account on our
administrative Prime, and we have been unable to trace the culprit's point
of origin, though we suspect its via modem. However, they were repeatedly
attempting to break in, it seems, as everytime the real ops logged in the
"unsuccessful" count was well into the hundreds.

Is it likely to be a bug that could cause a repeated login attempt to occur?
If someone else has experienced this problem please let me know.
Thanks,

   Chuck
Xref: sparky comp.sys.next:203 comp.sys.next.hardware:1103 comp.sys.next.misc:18083
From: gp310ad@prism.gatech.EDU (ROBERT DUCKWORTH)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next,comp.sys.next.hardware,comp.sys.next.misc
Subject: Re: Help, Fujitsu M2623SA in slab. How to boot from it?
Date: 23 Jul 92 11:39:40 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.next
Distribution: na
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

Thanks to all for the help.
Reset for async transfer and it worked like a charm.
If the !%@#%#$ vendor had only included the data sheet as requested
(5 times :-( )
-bob

-- 
Bob Duckworth  (WB4MNF)         960 Ralph McGill Blvd. Atlanta GA 30306-4447
uucp: ...!{allegra,amdmhplabs,ut-ngp}!gatech!prism!gp310ad       -rave on-
Internet: gp310ad@prism.gatech.edu  404 - 874-5051(H) 888-0389(O) 892-2301(F)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace
From: john@nextdoor.com (John McCracken)
Subject: Re: Where to buy
Reply-To: john@nextdoor.com
Organization: Nextdoor Software, San Jose, CA, USA
Distribution: ba
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 05:47:13 GMT

In article <yylmh2h.howard@netcom.com> howard@netcom.com (Howard Berkey)  
writes:
> 
> Hi everyone!
> 	I'm considering buying a <new> NeXT and I was wondering where would be
> a good place to look in the Bay Area... I just moved here and haven't gotten
> around to locating retailers in this area.  I'm interested in an 040 cube,
> mono MegaPixel, etc.   I may wait until NS 3.0 comes out.  Primary qualities
> I am looking for in a retailer are good service record and financing, if any.

I know of four commercial NeXT resellers in the Bay Area:

	1) MacAdam, S.F., (415) 863-6222
	2) Abacus, S.F.
	3) Highland Digital, P.A
	4) Computer Attic, Cupertion, P.A., Fremont...

There may be more - you can call NeXT at (800) 848-NeXT to get the names
of other resellers, if any, in the Bay Area.

I can't really recommend any of the four mentioned above, but I can
definitely recommend AGAINST Computer Attic.  They charge *list* prices
(sometimes higher) on NeXT equipment for individuals, and, in my
experience, haven't been very knowledgeable at all about NeXT products.

I ordered a CD-ROM/3.0 Upgrade from MacAdam, but it hasn't arrived yet.
Their price was $550 (list $695), and they were quite helpful.  Though
their product knowledge wasn't superior, it was certainly better than
Computer Attic's.

Highland Digital was quite helpful and knowledgeable, but their price was
higher than MacAdam's (though less than list price).  I still might wind-up
as a Highland Digital customer if the MacAdam deal doesn't pan out.

I didn't call Abacus, so I can't comment on them.

I know nothing about financing options from any of the aforementioned
vendors, or from NeXT itself on single-machine purchases.

Of course, another option is to become either a NeXT Registered
Developer, or a full-time student at a Bay Area University.  You'd
get the best possible price on your system that way, but the fee for
the mandatory Developer's Camp ($1500) or the college tuition/fees
would definitely change the equation :-)

-- 
 John McCracken                   White Computers
 john@nextdoor.com                  Can't Jump
 NeXTMail welcome
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace
Subject: Re: 040 Cube For Sale
From: scott@nic.gac.edu (Scott Hess)
Date: 29 Jul 92 22:16:21
Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College
In-reply-to: lmccullo@nyx.cs.du.edu's message of 30 Jul 92 00:32:55 GMTLines: 27

I know this doesn't belong on csn.marketplace, but ...

In article <1992Jul30.003255.28758@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>
        lmccullo@nyx.cs.du.edu (L. McCulloch) writes:
>The following is for sale. I'm an independent developer and I need
>color for my work, so I'm selling my NeXTcube which is in excellent
>condition.
>
<Cube specs removed>
>
>You supply HD.
>
>       Tons of PD software on OD including Stuart,
>
<Rest omitted>

Just a point - Stuart is not Public Domain, it's shareware.  Perhaps
the poster realized this, perhaps not - but I just wished to publicly
note that his above statement is simply _not_ the case.  You never
know, perhaps someone would have mistakenly purchased the system
in the believe that they received free Stuart ...

Later,
--
scott hess <shess@ssesco.com>  <Who's now in a programming Berserker-frenzy>
12901 Upton Avenue South, #326  Burnsville, MN 55337 (612) 895-1208 Anytime!
<I want to become so famous that people buy tapes of me reading source code>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace
From: miguele@lotatg.lotus.com (Miguel A. Estrada)
Subject: Complete NeXT for $2,990 (+ shipping):
Organization: Lotus Development Corp.
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 20:22:29 GMT


Complete NeXT for $2,990 (+ shipping):

NextStation 25Mhz 68040 20MB RAM, 105MB internal drive
	17 in. Monochrome monitor with built in microphone
	scsi-2 to scsi-1 Cable (Black, from NeXT)
	rs-232 Cable (NeXTConnection)
	rs-232 Null Modem Cable (NeXTConnection)
NeXTStep 2.1 Standard Software Diskettes
NeXTStep 2.1 Extended Software Diskettes
NeXTStep 2.1 Full Documentation
Lotus Improv

All hardware in IMPECABLE condition.
Less than 100 hours of use !!!!!

All of the above for $2990 + Shipping

YES  $2,990.  This ridiculously low price is NOT negotiable. (first offer
takes it)

Add Telebit T2500 for $500

For questions call Miguel Estrada at (617)693-7703 or reply to this
email at miguele@lotatg.lotus.com


--
Disclaimer: I do not speak for my employer.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace
From: kmorton@panix.com (Ken Morton)
Subject: NeXTstation 16/425 For Sale
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 04:00:54 GMT
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC


	For Sale (Reduced price - I want a quick sell!)
	
		NeXTstation 16/425
			w/ MegaPixel Mono Monitor
		
		SCSI Cable
		Modem Cable
		3-Meter Monitor Cable
		Standard Monitor Cable
		Keyboard/ Mouse
		
		Extended Release on HD
		Hardcopy Developer Docs
		
		Executor
		Mathematica
		MicroPhone II
		WriteNow
		
		Lots of stuff from the Archives
		
		$3800
		

kmorton@panix.com

-- 
Ken Morton					Breath of Fresh Air
kmorton@panix.com				 Music Production
NeXTmail happily accepted...		"Good Tea, Nice House." - Worf
From: mjones@ai.mit.edu (Mike Jones)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace
Subject: Mathematica 2.0 for sale
Date: 23 Jul 92 20:18:17 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: MIT AI Lab


I have a copy of Mathematica 2.0 for sale.  It's brand new - still
shrink wrapped.  I'm asking $250 or best offer.

Mike Jones
mjones@ai.mit.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace,misc.forsale.computers,osu.general,osu.for-sale
From: schwarz@cis.ohio-state.edu (Marc Schwarz)
Subject: NeXT Software Blowout
Originator: schwarz@tortoise.cis.ohio-state.edu
Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 23:43:34 GMT

I Have The Following NeXT Software For Sale:

1.  Mathematica 2.02 			$167.00 US
2.  SyBase Version 4.1 			$167.00 US
3.  Allegro Common Lisp Version 3.1 	$147.00 US

All packages have sealed factory masters. Mathematica
is shrink-wrapped; SyBase and ACL have unbroken seals. 
These prices ARE postpaid within the continental United
States; including Federal Express COD.

My NeXT Cube system has been sold, and is thus no
longer available.  If you need more info, please 
send Email or call:  (614) 292-9576.

Marc.
-=-
schwarz@cis.ohio-state.edu

Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.marketplace,misc.forsale.computers,osu.general,osu.for-sale