root@ucsfcca.UUCP (Computer Center) (05/09/86)
Quite a few netters have expressed interest in multi-tasking
on the ST's. Others have expressed explicit interest in OS/9.
Well, I have an announcement distributed at Comdex which answers
both of these but since I wasn't there I didn't want to rush in
(Jim O. where are you?) ahead of someone with more information.
The announcement is from
TLM Systems Inc.
4704 W. Jennifer, Suite 105
Fresno, CA 93711
(209) 276-2345
or
67 Grandview
Pleasantville, NY 10570
(914) 747-1450
for the
OS/9 68000 Operating System for Atari ST
which is said to feature
Unix-like structure and command vocabulary
Multi-user/Multi-tasking capabilities
Shell oriented command line processing
Sequential and concurrent command execution
I/O redirection
Wildcard matching
Unix-like utility command library
Full screen editor
68000 macro assembler and development tools
Optional languages: BASIC C Pascal Fortran COBOL
selling for (I am told, it is not on the announcement) $299 without
the optional languages.
In my opinion, the price will limit its appeal. For a ~$1000 system
~$300 for a second operating system is steep. Power-users with hard
disks will love it but how many of them are there? The big question
is, of course, how much software development will it attract?
Of course, if the same programs will run on it and on GEMDos that's
another story, but I would have expected VERY BOLD presentation of
that in the announcement if it were true.
I have seen the flier; that's all I know.
Thos Sumner (...ucbvax!ucsfcgl!ucsfcca.UCSF!thos)