john@starfire.UUCP (John Lind) (11/30/89)
I currently have a binary-configurable Unix license for my one-of-a-kind 32016 system that National was kind enough to bend a few marketing rules to sell to me. I am really getting tired of being left so far behind in the software world. For instance, I got a hold of the CRISP public domain editor, but it doesn't support systems as old as mine (too many library calls and such missing). I would really like to upgrade to a more modern Unix port, preferably 4.3BSD, but I can't seem to find anyone with a port that will call me. I have heard that Zaiaz Communications has ported 4.3BSD to the 32016, but when I call there, I always get an answering machine, and no-one ever returns my calls. Grr. I have all my own drivers, and have supported myself as a Unix driver writer, so I just need the basic configuration stuff and I am ready to build a kernel and join the 20th century. Yes, I understand that I have to do major damage to my file system (currently have version 7-style file system), but the fast file system code ALONE would be worth the upgrade. I have enough disk space to clear off a partition to load the 4.3 utilities in a 4.3 file system for testing. Also, I am not really clear on licensing. How specific is my license? Since AT&T already has their money for me to run Unix, can I just merrily change versions and only worry about the needs of the person who did the port? If I have to buy a full new license and just write off my old one, I'm not sure it's worth it. Can I re-sell a license? Any and all leads appreciated. -- John Lind, Starfire Consulting Services E-mail: john@starfire.MN.ORG USnail: PO Box 13001, Mpls MN 55414