[net.unix-wizards] 68000-based unix inquiry

mike@RAND-UNIX@sri-unix (06/12/82)

Date: Wednesday,  2 Jun 1982 22:06-PDT
There are at least 5 different versions of UNIX currently running
on the 68000 in some sort of workstation configuration.  They are:

	i.   UNISOFT version 7
	ii.  XENIX version 7
	iii. Fortune version 7
	vi.  MIT version 7
	v.   LUCASFILM version 7

I would like to know the following things:

	a.  Have I missed any other ports/flavors of 68000 unix?

	b.  What are the relative merits/deficiencies of the various
	    versions in terms of the following or your own categories

		performance
		reliability
		support

	c.  What does the future hold?  I already know what Bill Joy wrote
	    about the Sun Microsystems plans for 4.2 UNIX.

and finally,

	I would love to hear any personal testimonials from anyone who
	has actually used any of these.

I will keep a collection of all the replies and send them off to anyone
who is interested.

Thanks,
Michael Wahrman

Dan@sri-unix (06/26/82)

Date: 12 Jun 1982 11:58:40 EDT (Saturday)
Some more 68000-based UNIX systems:

1. Whitesmith's IDRIS, which is now available for the 68000.
2. Wicat claims to have UNIX V7 available for their 68000-based systems,
   along with their MCS operating system.
3. Charles River Data Systems is offering UNOS, a UNIX lookalike, on their
   Universe 68 system (as well as on the Motorola Exorcisor, as I recall).
   UNOS is based on eventcounts, an organization which makes a lot of things
   (like signals) work better.
4. Mark Williams Company, creator of Coherent (a UNIX clone), is planning to
   offer Coherent on the 68000 (it isn't ready yet).

A friend of mine decided to get IDRIS, because they would sell him the sources.
MIT and LUCASFILM probably would supply sources too, but there was some question
about the level of support he would get from them. By the way, who does one
contact at MIT or LUCASFILM to get UNIX from them?

mo@LBL-UNIX@sri-unix (07/29/82)

Date: 27 Jun 1982 11:55:42-PDT
The best port I have seen (as apposed to "it's just as good as a Unix")
is the Unisoft port to the Sun-style cpu's.  Jeff Schriebman
is Unisoft and has done a good job.  I have used his system on
a Codata box and it is quite nice, especially considering it was
running on 5" miniwini's.  Unisoft's system has Cshell and Vi running,
also.  Unisoft is located in Berkeley California.

	-Mike

berry@sri-unix (07/29/82)

We have Jeff's UNIX on our 68000's too.  It's good stuff.