Mark_David_McWiggins@cup.portal.com (10/31/87)
My company does warehouse automation applications. We need a real-time, multitasking, networkable OS. We hear conflicting opinions on QNX and cannot get Quantum to return our phone calls asking for product info, which seems a bad sign. Regulus also seems a possibility; its vendor claims SVID conformance with a real-time kernel for the 680X0 and 80386. Anybody have experience with either or both of these? Regulus seems ideal, if it lives up to the ad. Thanks in advance.
gardner@kodak.UUCP (11/02/87)
In article <1196@cup.portal.com> Mark_David_McWiggins@cup.portal.com writes: >My company does warehouse automation applications. We need a >real-time, multitasking, networkable OS. We hear conflicting opinions >on QNX and cannot get Quantum to return our phone calls asking for >product info, which seems a bad sign. I've heard that Quantam has exhibited some strange behavior lately, but it hasn't affected me directly. My communications with them has always been courteous, timely, and complete. They operate a free, bulletin-board for users, on which lots of free soft- ware is available. They also post Beta-type sofware for testing, and, when release versions are available, registered users can download the latest versions. Some examples are: MicroEmacs editor, and Curses libraries. I think that QNX is the ideal RTOS for controlling machinery. I have had a single-node copy for several months, and am in the process of stringing cable for a small development network now. QNX runs in protected mode on AT's, taking advantage of the '286 architecture. I have discovered several methods of controlling I/O under QNX, some of which are quite amazing. Bitbus for example - Micro Switch Div. of Honeywell now makes PLC-type I/O modules that have a Bitbus front-end. That means that cabling requirements are now ridiculously easy (using a single twisted-pair RS-485). Firmware is available that permits ladder logic OR Basic programming. Furthermore, a Basic compiler is available that really puts the controller into Warp Drive. For consultation on QNX, you can hire: Data Kinetics 97 Norman St. Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3K5 (613) 238-6709 They also teach several courses on QNX and related topics. I attended a QNX Workshop there, and was impressed with their knowledge and friendly manner. One thing to keep in mind -- QNX is NOT Unix. It is MUCH smaller, and VERY, VERY fast! Even though it uses Arcnet for its (almost) built-in networking, which has a bit rate of 2.5M, it out-performs 10M bit Ethernet systems by about 2 to 1. It is a token-passing, multi-drop type of system. I have purchased a 'C' shell for QNX, which makes the kernel a little larger, but makes it look much more like Berkeley Unix. I have purchased several QNX products from: T & T Computer Products P.O. Box 33213 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74153 (918) 663-1879 They are a distributor for Quantam, and offer a 10% discount off list. They are also a resource for QNX software and hardware products. I have had very good results from these people. They've been fast, courteous, and thorough. The bottom line -- I've investigated many RTOS's , including VRTX, MTOS, pSOS, etc. I've gotten reports (from internal sources) on several others, such as Flexos, Idris, and UNIX SYSV from Microport, and we all seem to agree that QNX suits our machine control needs better than any of these. I hope this information has been helpful. Please email for any more info. =#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=# Dick Gardner -- Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester, New York 14650 Phone: (716) 477-1002 UUCP: {allegra,rutgers}!rochester!kodak!gardner "Oh yeah?!? Well, MY computer is SOOOOO FAST, it executes an infinite loop in 6 seconds!!!" =#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#