rosso@sco.COM (Ross Oliver) (05/19/89)
SCO is now offering three new support services that I thought would interest comp.unix.xenix readers. First is our SCO Online Support (SOS) Basic Service. SOS is our technical support BBS, which up until now, you had to have at least a SoftCare II support contract to gain access. SOS Basic Service gives you read-only acess to all the technical information on the system, including a database of over 800 problems and solutions for the majority of our product line. Also available are technical articles and tutorials from our DiSCOver newsletter, product announcements, the SCO training schedule, and product question and answer documents. SOS Basic Service is $95 per year. Contact our Customer Service department at 1-800-626-4381, or mail to uunet!sco!support for more information. The second new service is our Developers Program, which includes special technical support services, discounts on products and training, listings of your products in our SCO XENIX System V Directory, and other goodies. Contact our Developer Relations department at (408) 425-7222, or mail uunet!sco!devrel for more information. The third new service is annonymous UUCP downloads of selected Support Level Supplements. We have two modems available: a 2400 baud modem at (408) 425-3502, and a Telebit Trailblazer modem at (408) 429-1786. On either line, use the login "uusls" (forth character is the letter "l"), no password, and the machine name is "sosco". All files are in the directory /usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS. Get the file /usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS/info for a list of available files, and instructions on how to install the supplements after downloading. Since this is the first public announcment of this service, there will no doubt be a flood of calls to these two modems. For the first couple of weeks, please try to keep your connect time to a minimum, and if you need more than one or two files, please take them in several sessions. Mail me (uunet!sco!rosso) for any questions or problems. Ross Oliver Technical Support The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
dfm@sagepub.UUCP (David F. McCune) (05/20/89)
In article <3188@viscous.sco.COM> uunet!sco!rosso (Ross Oliver) writes: > >All files are in >the directory /usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS. Get the file >/usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS/info for a list of available files, and >instructions on how to install the supplements after downloading. Could some nice soul who manages to get into the sco machine please post the info file? (Ross, are you listening? -- :-) ) Thanks! -David -- David McCune, Sage Publications, Inc. 2111 West Hillcrest Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320 dfm%sagepub@quad.com uucp: ...srhqla!sagepub!dfm voice: (805) 499-0721 fax: (805) 499-0871
ked@garnet.berkeley.edu (Earl H. Kinmonth) (05/21/89)
In article <1323@sagepub.UUCP> dfm@sagepub.UUCP (David F. McCune) writes: >In article <3188@viscous.sco.COM> uunet!sco!rosso (Ross Oliver) writes: >> >Could some nice soul who manages to get into the sco machine please >post the info file? (Ross, are you listening? -- :-) ) Considering the recent infusion of megabucks into SCO by MicroShaft and the fact that decent 2400 baud modems can be had for a C-note or less, perhaps they could put in another line or two without breaking the corporate piggy-bank. By using office lines in off hours, it could be done without further charges to PacBell. Better yet, perhaps they could scam one of their developers for an ftp connection. Let them advertise in the /etc/motd if they need some quo for their quid.
noel@ubbs-nh.MV.COM (Noel B. Del More Nashua) (05/21/89)
In article <3188@viscous.sco.COM> uunet!sco!rosso (Ross Oliver) writes: >SCO is now offering three new support services that I thought >would interest comp.unix.xenix readers. > >First is our SCO Online Support (SOS) Basic Service. SOS is our >technical support BBS, which up until now, you had to have at least a >SoftCare II support contract to gain access. SOS Basic Service >gives you read-only acess to all the technical information on the system, >including a database of over 800 problems and solutions for the majority >of our product line. Also available are technical articles and tutorials >from our DiSCOver newsletter, product announcements, the SCO training >schedule, and product question and answer documents. SOS Basic Service >is $95 per year. Contact our Customer Service department at 1-800-626-4381, >or mail to uunet!sco!support for more information. $95.00 per year to read about what's what with SCO! Come on Ross, now if you had made it $95.00 year for SOFTCARE I and SOS then I might be interested. Most companies would (and do) provide this type of support for their customers for free, especially when you consider what it costs to employ a "live" technician to handle technical support via telephone. SCO's problem continues to be that it fails to see that with the ever increasing popularity of Xenix, that more and more neophytes are going to be using the product for the first time. Additionally, many of these "new" customers are NOT going to be businesses, rather they will be individuals with families to feed and mortgages to make, ie. no deep pockets, as well as the small businessman emigrating from DOS to a Xenix environment. SCO needs to address the needs of these users with a low cost, efficient and comprehensive support plan, which SOFTCARE I and SOS could be if they were combined. It is really ludicrous to consider paying $95.00 a year to call a machine and search for information concerning (often times)(at least for me) a problem with SCO's product, on your own time and have to pay the telephone charges as well. One thing you fail to mention is that you can get a 15% discount on all support contracts within 30 days of registering a product. And fellow netlanders, are all your packages registered? I sent in my cards 8 months ago for the current system that I have, as late as March they still had not registered all of the packages. Consider your Text Processing, Man pages, CGI etc. if they do't have it registered then you may be able to obtain the discount. Additionally, what with SCO's currently overloaded support system you'd think that SCO would be trying to do anything to ease that burden. A free SOS system would obtain that result. Machines ARE less expensive than people! SCO might also consider sending DISCOVER free to registered customers and using it as a marketing tool. Or you might even consider expanding the publication and selling subscriptions to it, even I would buy one! >The second new service is our Developers Program, which includes special >technical support services, discounts on products and training, >listings of your products in our SCO XENIX System V Directory, >and other goodies. Contact our Developer Relations department >at (408) 425-7222, or mail uunet!sco!devrel for more information. Did I mention that this is, and the previous paragraph where perfect examples of commercial use of the net. I mean you are "peddling" products here. (No flame ... just mentioning it). >The third new service is annonymous UUCP downloads of selected Support >Level Supplements. <stuff deleted> Now no fees are mentioned in this paragraph so I assume that this is a free service. CONGRATULATIONS SCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This IS a wonderful example of how to promote your business, generate good will, and provide a valuable and timely service to your customers while at the same time reducing costs for manpower and materials. Now carry it a step further, require that the calling party be registered for the product and provide all of the free updates that one would normally have to obtain through your media department. Add SOS and DISCOVER, either free or an expanded, subscription supported, publication and you now have all of the above advantages, ie. reduced costs and manpower, plus you have a marketing advantage over your competition! Yep, I can see it now... <scene 1> VAR (Consultant) attempting to convince a local businessperson to buy his SCO Xenix based product. Businessperson: But I understand Xenix is so difficult to master, setup and use! Were will I get help if I need it? VAR: Well, your first step would be to contact me for any assistance you might require.. Businessperson: Yeah, but what if your not around, and I need help. And, I'm really not going to want to pay you your megabuck fees for every simple question. VAR: Yes, I can see your point. Well, not only can I train to use the system and software, but SCO provides training on a wide variety of subjects at a reasonable fee. Additionally they provide free with their OS unlimited access to a database of questions and answers about the OS which is available by calling their system in Ca. Additionally, you download current updates and "patches" for the OS from the same system via uucp. And finally, they provide you with a subscription to DISCOVER, a publication which will inform you about new products and services, Software Supplements, and articles about how other businesses are using SCO Xenix to solve their computing needs. Businessperson: Thats wonderful but what if I need to actually talk with someone? VAR: Well then their are various level of Support Contracts available. The cost based upon your needs. Businessperson: Great! I'm sold, between SCO's support and yours I think we can make this project work! <scene 2> VAR (Consultant) leaving the client's place of business. In a low half-mutter, half exclamiation he says... VAR: Yooo SCO, way to go! Gads... its enough to bring tears to your eyes and a positive balance in the ole check book isn't it? BTW Ross, does SCO need a slightly radical marketing executive? Noel -- Noel B. Del More | decvax!ubbs-nh!noel 17 Meredith Drive | noel@ubbs-nh.mv.com Nashua, New Hampshire 03063 | It's unix me son! `taint spozed tah make cents
bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey) (05/23/89)
In article <1323@sagepub.UUCP> dfm@sagepub.UUCP (David F. McCune) writes: >In article <3188@viscous.sco.COM> uunet!sco!rosso (Ross Oliver) writes: >> >>All files are in >>the directory /usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS. Get the file >>/usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS/info for a list of available files, and >>instructions on how to install the supplements after downloading. > >Could some nice soul who manages to get into the sco machine please >post the info file? (Ross, are you listening? -- :-) ) > >Thanks! > >-David > > > > >-- > David McCune, Sage Publications, Inc. > 2111 West Hillcrest Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320 > dfm%sagepub@quad.com uucp: ...srhqla!sagepub!dfm > voice: (805) 499-0721 fax: (805) 499-0871 List of SLS files available for transfer using UUCP Last updated: 5/12/89 Machine name: sosco Phone numbers: (408) 425-3502 (300-2400 baud) (408) 429-1786 (9600 baud Telebit) Login name: uusls (forth character is the letter "l" rather than numeral "1") No password Below is a list of the Support Level Supplements available for UUCP request in the directory /usr/spool/uucppublic/SLS. The files ending in .z have been reduced in size using the SCO XENIX pack(C) utility. These files must first be unpacked using unpack(C). Files ending in .ltr are the cover letters and installation instructions for the corresponding Supplements. The cover letters assume you have received the Supplements on diskette. To install a Supplement, you must first transfer it to a diskette using this procecure: 1. Request UUCP to transfer to your system the SLS file and cover letter file for the desired supplement. 2. Expand one or both of the files as necessary using unpack(C). 3. Format a diskette that is large enough to contain the supplement file. 4. Use the dd(C) command to transfer the supplement file to the diskette. For example, if the supplement file is "xnx102" and is in the /usr/spool/uucppublic directory on your system, and the diskette is a 5.25-inch, 360K, the command would be: dd if=/usr/spool/uucppublic/xnx102 of=/dev/rfd048ds9 Substitute the appropriate device name for "/dev/rfd048ds9" if transferring to a diskette of another capacity. However, always used the character device. The diskette must be formatted using the format(C) command before the data can be transferred. 5. Follow the installation instructions given in the cover letter file. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Support Level Supplements available by UUCP request File name Size(bytes) Description xnx087.z 7500 386 Shadow Sperry 4 Port xnx087.ltr 774 xnx089.z 129423 SunRiver Driver for 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 xnx089.ltr.z 11017 xnx096.z 173028 286 Shadow Sperry 4 Port xnx096.ltr 782 xnx098.z 11441 Irwin 20-megabyte format(C) xnx098.ltr 620 xnx102.z 44994 Multiple Mountain Tape Drives xnx102.ltr 9592 xnx104.z 420319 Excelan TCP/IP Supplement for XENIX 2.3 xnx104.ltr 1246 xnx105.z 43077 RTS/CTS Handshaking Supplement for 2.3 xnx105.ltr 872 xnx107.z 2490 /etc/rc for 286 2.2.3 xnx107.ltr 619 xnx108.z 123531 SunRiver Driver for SCO XENIX 2.3.1 386 xnx108.ltr.z 18637 xnx114.z 138839 DiSCOver technical articles xnx114.ltr 763 xnx115.z 5845 Fixes Slow parallel printing problems for xnx115.ltr 1064 SCO XENIX 386 2.3.0 and 2.3.1 xnx116.z 14435 Allows SCO XENIX 2.3 to read mapkey files xnx116.ltr 1033 from SCO XENIX 2.2 xnx118.z 60749 QIC-40 tap driver for SCO XENIX 386 xnx118.ltr 4688 releases 2.2.3 and 2.3.1. xnx120.z 36527 Corrects "ps seek error" for SCO XENIX xnx120.ltr 1164 386 release 2.3.0 and 2.3.1 xnx122.z 52511 Driver for Archive VP409 Microchannel xnx122.ltr 6065 tape drive controller xnx124.z 32708 Corrects fsck abort problems for SCO XENIX xnx124.ltr 1422 386 releases 2.3.0 through 2.3.3 xnx126.z 22648 Allows kernels larger than 640K to boot xnx126.ltr 1191 For SCO XENIX 386 2.3.1. xnx128.z 262004 Corrects "garbage or loose cable" error using xnx128.ltr 1812 certain internal modems. xnx130.z 84017 Driver for SCO XENIX 386 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 that xnx130.ltr 3151 supports all of the following drive models: 125, 145, 185, 225, 245, 285, 2020, 2040, and 2080. xnx133.z 59248 Corrects problems with using the WD1007A xnx133.ltr 1927 disk controller. For SCO XENIX 286, release 2.2.3, and all 2.3 releases.
tbetz@dasys1.UUCP (TOM BETZ) (05/24/89)
Quoth noel@ubbs-nh.MV.COM (Noel B. Del More Nashua) in <350@ubbs-nh.MV.COM>: |In article <3188@viscous.sco.COM> uunet!sco!rosso (Ross Oliver) writes: |>SCO is now offering three new support services that I thought |>would interest comp.unix.xenix readers. |> |>First is our SCO Online Support (SOS) Basic Service. SOS is our |>technical support BBS, which up until now, you had to have at least a |>SoftCare II support contract to gain access. SOS Basic Service |>gives you read-only acess to all the technical information on the system, |>including a database of over 800 problems and solutions for the majority |>of our product line. Also available are technical articles and tutorials |>from our DiSCOver newsletter, product announcements, the SCO training |>schedule, and product question and answer documents. SOS Basic Service |>is $95 per year. Contact our Customer Service department at 1-800-626-4381, |>or mail to uunet!sco!support for more information. | |$95.00 per year to read about what's what with SCO! Come on Ross, now |if you had made it $95.00 year for SOFTCARE I and SOS then I might be |interested. Also, the BBS is written using LYRIX scripts, which means a) it's slow b) it's clumsy c) it doesn't support file transfers, even ASCII transfers... you can't even turn off the bloody More? paging and capture long documents without sitting there and pressing the spacebar every screenful. PITA... and a waste of time. I called it a coupla times, and have since given up. Advice to SCO - get some >real< BBS software. If you want to demonstrate LYRIX on-line, set up another number for that. Better yet... get a copy of Magpie software (available from MAGPIE HQ - 212-420-0527) which will let you maintain your Q&A database, provide fulltext search on multiple keywords, and from which you can shell out to run your on-line demos... and which will even permit you to offer fixes on-line for Softcare II patrons, like me. Drop the Not Invented Here syndrome if you expect a useful support BBS. |Most companies would (and do) provide this type of support for their |customers for free, especially when you consider what it costs to employ |a "live" technician to handle technical support via telephone. Damn straight. There are DOS shareware products out there that provide better free support than SCO does. [I further endorse the rest of the posting, deleted for brevity here ] |>The second new service is our Developers Program, which includes special |>technical support services, discounts on products and training, |>listings of your products in our SCO XENIX System V Directory, |>and other goodies. Contact our Developer Relations department |>at (408) 425-7222, or mail uunet!sco!devrel for more information. | |>The third new service is annonymous UUCP downloads of selected Support |>Level Supplements. <stuff deleted> | |Now no fees are mentioned in this paragraph so I assume that this is a |free service. CONGRATULATIONS SCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I for won would like to see some clarification on this from SCO. It was not mentioned in DiSCOver, to my recollection... Disclaimer: I haven't been on SOS in more than a month, as my first two experiences there were so frustrating. I hope things have changed, I really do. -- "Tell me, is this Heaven?" | Tom Betz, 114 Woodworth "No, it's Iowa." | Yonkers, NY 10701-2509 | (914) 375-1510 "Iowa... I could have >sworn< it was Heaven." | cmcl2!dasys1!tbetz