Doug Gwyn (VLD/VMB) <gwyn@Brl-Vld.ARPA> (01/14/85)
Would someone from AT&T please explain the Toolchest and also let us know why we have to find out about it secondhand? Some marketing you guys have.
sdf@whuxlm.UUCP (Felts Steve) (01/18/85)
Since I am a provider of one of the tools in the Toolchest, maybe
I can fill you in on what it is.
The toolchest is a new distribution channel for AT&T.
Their main goal is to make some money without much staffing and "no hassles."
This means that:
1. the software is unsupported
2. there is a "lump sum" arrangement - no royalties.
Here's the key facts:
1. Source code is provided
2. All source runs on System V (I know that some of tools run on a
wide variety of UNIX versions including BSD)
3. AT&T selected well used and liked tools from its development community
(using a 6 page screening form and some type of review board)
4. Toolchest is running on an AT&T 3B2
5. Dial 201-522-6900 login: guest
6. System is menu driven (and somewhat slow)
7. Once inside, you can browse through list of software, get more
information on a specific tool and product specs, etc.
8. You need to get "licensing authority" before getting any software -
a single umbrella agreement for as many tools as you want. Costs $100
to register.
9. You request software - software is sent via uucp and an invoice
is sent by mail.
10. There are two prices: initial price gets you one source copy for
internal use and grants you right to distribute copies internally on as
many processors as you wish.
Sublicensing - "lump sum" arrangement - one fee per package and an
acknowledgement of source in promotion and you can offer binary copies
commercially. No royalties!
11. No technical support - offered "as is."
12. More info on Toolchest - contact AT&T Account Rep - 1-800-828-UNIX
These are the tools available when I last looked:
name category description
---- -------- -----------
bptap programming background process term access pkg
conv-dt programming aid date conversion
datebook office automation maintain per. appointment calendar
emacs-tc editor full screen editor, split screen
fastdd file utility faster "dd" command
file-util1 file utility extract lines; extr. ascii lines
fmail office automation full screen interface to std mail
ncsl programming count non-commentary src lines
qbus-tc driver ibv 488 interface driver
sh-pgmg1 programming aid set of useful shell prog. tools
slog programming aid flexible src level logging facility
teco-tc editor popular DEC teco editor for UNIX
unity-tc database relation db for simple files
As an example of pricing, the unity-tc database system
costs $1250 for source and $10,000 for binary license.
Included is 133 page user manual and 16K of source.
The Toolchest system became available Jan. 2, although my
original understanding was that Jan. 2 is availability only
to VARS and Mar. 1 available to the world.
Steve Felts
whuxlm!sdf
(201)3866416
AT&T Bell Labseric@osiris.UUCP (Eric Bergan) (05/23/85)
After hearing about the new AT&T Toolchest, I rushed to log in, and check out what was there. Some of it did look interesting, so I tried to sign up. That was several (>4) months ago, and the promised licensing package has not shown up. I logged in again about a month ago, and sure enough, it still knew that I had applied. I left a message, but have not had any response from that, either. Has anyone successfully enrolled to use the Toolchest? -- eric ...!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!osiris!eric
gwyn@brl-tgr.ARPA (Doug Gwyn <gwyn>) (05/24/85)
Does anyone know how to log in to the UNIX System ToolChest (a) without sending a BREAK, or (b) using Vadic 1200 baud protocol rather than 212A?
hart@cp1.UUCP (Rod Hart) (05/25/85)
Well Eric, you were not dropped and that better treatment than I received. I understand we are still taking care of some post divorce issues and that is why we have not been allowed to subscribe. But they dropped my logon. That just about killed my interest. Some of my people are still interested, but I will have to see what it is all about later. We probably have rights to some of the stuff anyhow. If anyone is successful in subscribing let me know what you think. -- =========================================================================== Signed by: Rod Hart (WA3MEZ) Minicomputer Technical Support District Chesapeake & Potomac Tel. Co. A Bell Atlantic Company Silver Spring, Md. sabre!cp1!hart - gamma!cp1!hart - umcp-cs!cp1!hart - aplvax!cp1!hart ===========================================================================
nather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather) (05/26/85)
> Well Eric, you were not dropped and that's better treatment than I > received. > If anyone is successful in subscribing let me know what you think. > Rod Hart (WA3MEZ) We tried to subscribe but without success ... they promised forms etc. that never came; no followup, just an overwhelming silence. We wanted to buy the Korn shell, but were unable to do so. Is this any way to run a railroad? (And you know what happened to the railroads ...) -- Ed Nather Astronony Dept, U of Texas @ Austin {allegra,ihnp4}!{noao,ut-sally}!utastro!nather
naftoli@aecom.UUCP (Robert N. Berlinger) (05/28/85)
> > After hearing about the new AT&T Toolchest, I rushed to log in, > and check out what was there. Some of it did look interesting, so I > tried to sign up. That was several (>4) months ago, and the promised > licensing package has not shown up. I logged in again about a month ago, > and sure enough, it still knew that I had applied. I left a message, but > have not had any response from that, either. Has anyone successfully > enrolled to use the Toolchest? > I have been succesful, and received and executed the license agreement. At first, I had also waited a long time (month and 1/2) and then decided to send them a letter (using #9 of the menu). I got a call the next day and the problem was straightened out. We have already purchased some software, and I was extremely impressed when I ordered the software at 4pm and then 9 the next morning, it was all sitting there waiting for me. The software that I have received, (ksh, FASTdd, and some others) works fine, and was easy to integrate. I think that the Toolchest is great, and I hope they continue to add software to the list. -- Robert Berlinger ...{philabs,cucard,pegasus,ihnp4,rocky2}!aecom!naftoli
pv@uscvax.UUCP (Peter Vanderbilt) (05/30/85)
In article <145@utastro.UUCP> nather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather) writes: >We tried to subscribe but without success ... they promised forms etc. >that never came; no followup, just an overwhelming silence. We wanted to >buy the Korn shell, but were unable to do so. Try calling Marilyn Perry , AT&T Software Sales, at 919-279-6783. She seems helpful although, for other reasons, we have not received our forms. Pete -- Peter Vanderbilt uucp: ...!{{decvax,ucbvax}!sdcsvax,hplabs,allegra,trwrb}!sdcrdcf!uscvax!pv csnet: pv@usc-cse arpa: pv%usc-cse@csnet-relay.arpa
eric@osiris.UUCP (Eric Bergan) (05/30/85)
Since my initial posting, a number of things have been uncovered. First, AT&T did send me a license agreement back in April, but it never arrived - chalk one up to the US Mail. Second, I learned that the University is trying to set up a University wide license, to try and avoid the various University Unix sites from all ordering ksh seperately. Third, I received a call from the product manager of Toolchest, who was very helpful in determining the sequence of events. The bottom line is that we are now going to try and co-ordinate Toolchest membership with the University as a whole. -- eric ...!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!osiris!eric
dwight@timeinc.UUCP (Dwight Ernest) (06/04/85)
We have at least received the signup contract for the Toolchest after our initial request, although we have not yet completed it (nor, obviously, submitted it). It came rather promptly, about a month ago. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --Dwight Ernest KA2CNN \ Usenet:...vax135!timeinc!dwight Time Inc. Edit./Prod. Tech. Grp., New York City Voice: (212) 554-5061 \ Compuserve: 70210,523 Telemail: DERNEST/TIMECOMDIV/TIMEINC \ MCI: DERNEST "The opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Time Incorporated." -----------------------------------------------------------------------------