barlow.eosa@PARC-MAXC.ARPA (12/22/83)
David, I have been using a COMPAQ since September and have found it to be an excellent machine. To date I have run the following programs on it and found no problem in compatability: 1-2-3 dBase II Wordstar, Spelstar, Mailmerge Scitor Project Scheduler Aardvark Professional Tax Plan Microsoft Fortran Microsoft Basic Compiler IBM Pascal IBM Macro Assembler Supercalc Microsoft Flight Simulator Microsoft Decathlon Millionaire Rogue Xeno-Copy IBM Professional Editor CI-C86 Compiler Codesmith Debugger Home Accountant Plus Spinnaker Facemaker SMARTCOM II IBM DOS 2.0 (substituting COMPAQ Basic) The only program I have found that wouldn't run is the 1982 version of MicroLabs's Tax Manager. The 1983 version supposedly runs, according to COMPAQ. I have been talking to a VAX at 9600 baud using PCTALK III, a FREEWARE program. It is a dumb terminal program with no VT100 emulation. It does allow for file upload and down load operation, also phone communications over a Hayes Smartmodem. I found the COMPAQ to be reliable and easy to use. I installed a 1200b modem card with no problem other than a rapid pulse (I'm a software type- never opened a computer before). I have also owned an Osborne I and a TRS-80 Model I with all the bells and whistles. The COMPAQ is by far the finest computer I have used, including the IBM PC. The printer I use is an Okidata 92. It prints 160 cps for drafts and 40 cps for correspondence quality. I've had it for a year and it has been extremely reliable. It is very quiet and completely silent when not printing. The day I purchased it I was planning on buying a daisy wheel printer and spending a lot more. When I saw the correspondence quality print of the Okidata I bought it immediately. I got mine at Orange Micro. I've seen them in mail order ads for less than $500. I have been extremely happy with this printer so far.
railey@uiuccsb.UUCP (01/12/84)
#R:sri-arpa:-1492900:uiuccsb:5100007:000:486 uiuccsb!railey Jan 11 14:50:00 1984 I am trying to track down the software necessary to perform file uploading and downloading between an IBM PC and a vax/780. Apparently, you have had much success in this area using the PCTALK III and Hayes modem. Could you give a little bit more information about this software. I figured there was some software available in the public domain, but I have been unsuccessful in tracking it down. Any assistance would be most appreciated. Thanks. Malcolm path:uiucdcs/railey