jnall%FSU.BITNET@cornellc.cit.cornell.edu (John Nall 904-644-5241) (08/16/89)
I've finally taken the plunge and ordered a 386 system, with 4 MB of memory and an 80 MB hard disk, for the avowed purpose of using it as a development machine for Minix. Although I teach this stuff, I don't have any particular expectations of coming up with anything which is anywhere near worthy of distribution. On the other hand, though, several people have independently expressed similar ideas at one time or another, so I wonder if there is any way in which we might exchange ideas? I'd be glad to either (a) contribute anything I come up with to a coordinating person, or (b) serve as a central point to distribute anything someone else might come up with. Of course, what is going to happen is that long before I get anything working the way I want it, someone like Bruce Evans will release Minix386 which will be so slick that I can only be awed by it. But hopefully the experience will be worthwhile..... John Nall Computer Science Department Florida State University (jnall@rai.fsu.edu Bitnet) (nall@nu.cs.fsu.edu Internet)
ast@cs.vu.nl (Andy Tanenbaum) (10/03/89)
I went to a large office equipment show today in Amsterdam (Efficiency Beurs) and tried MINIX on some PCs. It is harder for me to be anonymous these days. When the salesman greets me and I mumble my name back, a light seems to go on sometimes with him. Pity. Another thing that is noticeable is that MINIX has run on every 386 I tried. It seems that back in the old AT days, when the clone vendors knew what their target was perfectly, they often blew it. Now, with no IBM 386 to aim at, they all get it right. You explain it. While I was at it, I ran dhrystone. I'll post my version in the next message. I think it might be interesting if the compatibility list had a column for dhrystone. Does that sound like a good idea (Alan)? Results of my tests: Machine Vers. OK? Who? Date Dhry. Zenith Z248 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 1086 Tandon 386/16 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 1851 Wyse 386/16 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 2173 Epson AX3 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 2500 HD failed Laser 386/20 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 3125 Tulip 386/25 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 3846 Laser 386/25 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 4166 Commodore PC-60 1.4a Y ast@cs.vu.nl 02 Oct 89 4545 The failure of the Epson HD may be due to an RLL controller. When I asked the Epson salesman: "Is your disk controller an DTC-MFM or an RLL type?" I got a look back that said "I didn't know Martians were allowed in here." Andy Tanenbaum (ast@cs.vu.nl)