HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA (08/21/84)
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA> In their presentations on the PC/AT, the new network, and the new operating systems, IBM's presenters are barraged with questions regarding where one would use Xenix and where one would use PC/IX. The answer they give is a new one to me: "If you need to use the new IBM LAN, or to run PC-DOS programs under Unix, then PC/IX is your choice..." This answer is given because a product called "PC-DOS Connector", in beta test for September release, allows PC-DOS programs to run within the PC/IX environment. PC-DOS Connector will be sold by Uniform (213/395-9674) for a price said to be in the $300 range. It is said to run Lotus 1- 2-3 under PC/IX! IBM claims that they expect the product to run their PC Network LAN software in the PC/IX environment. (Perhaps, with this product, one can run the wealth of PC-DOS word proces- sors in the Unix environment.) The company refuses to answer questions on how they handle the BIOS calls under Unix, because they consider that a trade secret. -------