jeff@cdp.UUCP (08/23/86)
Does anyone know if Simul-Task/OS-Merge is available from anyone besides AT&T (and will run on machines other than the 6300 Plus)? I would really like to be able to run both MS-DOS and Unix, but I would like to have a choice of vendors. Also, is it true that the software requires some special hardware assist that is not part of a "standard" AT-class machine? Thanks...
dan@rsch.wisc.edu (Daniel M. Frank) (08/24/86)
In article <8800012@cdp> jeff@cdp.UUCP writes: > >Does anyone know if Simul-Task/OS-Merge is available >from anyone besides AT&T (and will run on machines >other than the 6300 Plus)? I would really like to be >able to run both MS-DOS and Unix, but I would like to >have a choice of vendors. Also, is it true that the >software requires some special hardware assist that is >not part of a "standard" AT-class machine? > My understanding is that Microport, vendors of System V/AT, have contracted with the developers of OS-Merge to provide their product for the AT and compatibles. Presumably this means that it can be done without hardware assist. Availability is, I think, around 1Q87, but you'd best check with Microport about this. Their number is 1-800-722-8649. ------ Dan Frank Q: What's the difference between an Apple MacIntosh and an Etch-A-Sketch? A: You don't have to shake the Mac to clear the screen.
btb@mtuxo.UUCP (Bruce Burger) (08/26/86)
> Does anyone know if Simul-Task/OS-Merge is available > from anyone besides AT&T (and will run on machines > other than the 6300 Plus)? I would really like to be > able to run both MS-DOS and Unix, but I would like to > have a choice of vendors. Also, is it true that the > software requires some special hardware assist that is > not part of a "standard" AT-class machine? Simul-Task does indeed take advantage of several pieces of hardware built into the PC 6300 PLUS specifically for that purpose. This provides protection from "ill-behaved" programs like Flight Simulator (and others that are more practical!) that try to take over the machine. My only general comment regarding this and other products that combine DOS and UNIX is that there are many, many ways in which DOS programs try to bypass DOS; make sure the OS environment you're considering can run the DOS programs that you want. Simul-Task, although not perfect, does some neat tricks to handle such programs. Incidentally, "Simul-Task," at least by that name, is available only from AT&T. --Bruce Burger AT&T Information Systems Freehold, NJ {...ihnp4!}mtuxo!btb
cwd@cuae2.UUCP (Chris Donahue) (08/26/86)
I am pretty sure that shortly after the announcement of Simul-Task Locus Computing (the folks that wrote the software) stated a future direction to produce a pure software version of Simul-Task called something-Merge. No stated availability dates or implementation specifics other than "software only". Without some of the 6300 PLUS hardware, DOS task switching could be pretty slow. Also, they would need to pick a version of UNIX for PCs and contract for source or modifications to support/integrate their product. Doesn't sound trivial as you dig into the job. To get the final word, go to Locus. Chris Donahue AT&T Info. Sys. Application Engineering