campbell@maynard.UUCP (04/08/87)
In article <542@neoucom.UUCP> wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) writes: >I think you'll probably have to settle (if that's the right phrase) >for SCO or other flavor of Xenix/Unix on the new IBM machines. >Microport fools around with code in the IBM BIOS chips on the AT. >Microport will only assure that their port runs on a *real* IBM AT >with their BIOS and their HD controller card. This comes straight >from a phone conversation with Microport's gurus. They wouldn't >promise when/if it'll be available for other machines. ... >the status as of about 2 months ago. Nonsense. I am right now running Microport on a clone (made by a company that folded the day after I ordered the machine, but that's another story). It runs about as well on the clone as it does on my real live 6 MHz IBM PC/AT. Now, perhaps Microport doesn't have the time, space, or money to buy one of every flavor of Taiwanese clone ever made and test their software on them so they can GUARANTEE it will run... but to say it will ONLY run on an IBM AT is pure nonsense. However, I do agree with the original point, which was that OS/2 looks like malodorous vapor next to UNIX. OS/2 with all the bells and whistles will retail for $795, and it will lack a C compiler, troff, awk, grep, sed, etc. etc. while Microport can be had with everything bundled in for under $500. And OS/2 is vapor, while Microport is shipping today. Now if only Microport would get their SysV running on the new machines, and port X windows to the VGA... -- Larry Campbell The Boston Software Works, Inc. Internet: campbell@maynard.BSW.COM 120 Fulton Street, Boston MA 02109 uucp: {alliant,think,wjh12}!maynard!campbell +1 617 367 6846