gritz@homxb.UUCP (R.SHARPLES) (10/28/86)
[Leave me be line eater!]
I have just recently received my copy of MS Windows. Over
all it is a pretty nice package. It include some very nifty
desktop utilities such as a calendar with alarm (it beeps and
opens a message window and is settable to any time) and a
Cardfile with simulated 3 X 5 cards that are automatically
sorted alphabetically by the first line and interface any
phone number on the card with an autodialer (assuming you
have a Hayes compatible modem set up). It comes with
MacWrite and MacPaint look-a-likes bundled in.
On a 6300 plus it runs in 640x400 b&w with no problems. If
you get a special upgrade from the hotline and you have a DEB
it will run in color (which is beautiful!). But this is not
a review of Windows. My problem is getting applications to
run under it. Most recently, I have been battling with CTRM.
I can get CTRM to run in a window so it can download a file
in one corner of the screen while I monkey about with other
things. However, in this mode, CTRM writes 4 or 5 pairs of
thin horizontal yellow lines across the screen and keeps
adding new pairs as the old ones scroll off the top of the
window. I have CTRM set with the -b option (monochrome
screen buffer) although I notice that it still uses color
(when run alone from regular dos).
Does anyone know what these lines are from? The status line
is turned off by the way. Other than this, ctrm works
ok (it does not handle insert mode in vi at all).
Another problem: in color, windows scroll very slowly. It
doesn't matter if it is a DOS DIR, program output (like
TYPE) or the windows terminal emulator, it scrolls incredibly
slowly (like 1200 baud). I believe this is due to the
amount of information that has to be up dated in the
640x400x16 colors mode. Am I correct? Under b&w it scrolls
perfectly normally. If I run a program like CTRM such that
it takes over the screen, it will scroll normally.
Lastly the program PC-Write won't multi-task with Windows.
I believe this is because it traps the ALT-TAB key sequence
which to windows means you want to move to another window.
Any ideas?
I have been beating AT&T's version of MS Windows to death on
my 6300+. If netters are interested in a real review, send
mail and I'll put one together.
Russ Sharples
AT&T-BL
homxb!gritz
Disclaimer - Aside from providing the transmission
facilities, AT&T has no relationship to
these ideas.