[net.unix-wizards] VMESS...the Operating System for the 60s.

speaker.umcp-cs@UDel-Relay (02/20/83)

From:  Speaker-To-Animals <speaker.umcp-cs@UDel-Relay>

From: Gail Zacharias <GZ@MIT-MC>
	Subject:  VMESS...the Operating System for the 60s.
	
	    ...       You'll never fit VMESS into a micro and I can't
	    imagine why you would want to.
	
	Indeed.  On the other hand, why would you buy a powerful
	computer like the VAX and then limit it to an operating system
	which can fit on a micro.  Since VMS was tailor-made for the
	VAX, it undoubtedly takes better advantage of its
	capabilities.

Well, the idea is that you will never be able to use VMESS anywhere
other than in a VAX environment.  When newer and more powerfull machines
arrive (even micros)...VMESS will be a loser because VMESS will be
unportable to them.  Unless such machines support Bliss or MACRO-11
which may not be the case.

	It comes down to trade offs (as usual).  You can have a "least
	common denominator" system like Unix, or you can get at the
	full power of your VAX with VMS but sacrifice portability to
	some extent.

Benchmarks have shown Unix 4.1 to be as fast as VMESS, if
speed is your measure of full power.  There are measures of power
other than raw crunching ability, like how fast can the user get
his job done and with how little (or how much) hassle.

						- Speaker