From: keith@ksmith.uucp (Keith Smith)
Subject: Re: Coherent and Dos
Organization: Keith's Computer, Hope Mills, NC
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 92 15:00:57 GMT
Keywords: DOS,EMULATION,COHERENT

In article <9208100931.AA09316@dalek.mwc.com> "Coherent operating system" <COHERENT@indycms.bitnet> writes:
>Udo Munk writes:
>> All people which wants to run an DOS emulation under UNIX should try to
>> find someone with SCO and VPix, who will let them play around with that.
>> I've done it at work, some DOS programs runs under VPix, but I've removed
>> it from the systems!
>
>[A personal, non-MWC sanctioned, commentary follows]
>
>I have had ONE experience with VP/IX and have vowed to never look at it
>again...
>
>Type a pipe symbol where a colon is needed (dir A| instead of dir A:) on the
>system console, and prepare to reboot the system. The console locks up
>quite solidly.
>

Hmmm,  Not here.  What version VP/ix & SCO?

Look folks,  If the programs were available for unix of any flavor at a
price that didn't melt your wallet We'd all buy them, but they are not. 
Until we get simple well written programs written for Unix & clones
we're stuck with what we have,  DOS stuff.  Coherent stands one of the
best possibilities of becoming a stable unix platform for the masses,
but we'll see what kind of apps we get.

In the mean time I cannot shut down my CPU every darn time I want to run
some dweeby dos program that cost $40 that works, that I don't have to
write.  The alternative would be another computer, which I really would
rather not purchase, and then there is the problem of Wife, Kid, Modem
user all wanting the same dos program at the same time.

I'd say a Merge type product would be preferable to a straight
enviroment type of emulation with shell.  I have found very few low cost
and shareware programs that would not run under VP/ix.  As for the High
end DOS stuff, I'd go ahead and spend DOUBLE (and TRIPLE and ...) on the
Unix Version in most instances.

I think MWC definately has the right idea with COFF and INTEL ABI. 
First thing I asked about LINUX and HURD was binary compatability.  This
is an ABSOLUTE must.  We HAVE to have standards and MWC has done a great
service to the *IX community in providing this.

In the standards arena, like it or not DOS IS a standard.  By creating
an interface to existing DOS programs you give a bridge between the old
and the new.  IMHO this is a neccessary evil for any *IX to take hold. 
Even MicroStuff knows this hence NT will be quite compatible at some
level with Win 3.1, which runs on top of DOS and can run DOS apps...

SCO and Interactive with VP/ix provided a bridge.  The BIG problem was
PRICE.  Who in their right mind wants to spend $2000 for a glorified DOS
platform?  No one, However, say Coherent for $100 + A $100 Merge product
and you could still run your dos stuff AND get the benifits of UNIX for
Under a couple of hundred bucks.  Great,  We'll try it.  For $2000 you
have to NEED it for $200 you can check it out without melting your
wallet if it won't fly. 

MWC I think realizes this, hence a $100 OS.  I'd love it to become a
standard, but WE'll have to see.
-- 
Keith Smith          uunet!ksmith!keith            5719 Archer Rd.
Digital Designs      BBS 1-919-423-4216            Hope Mills, NC 28348-2201
Somewhere in the Styx of North Carolina ...
Newsgroups: comp.os.coherent