palmer@chopin.udel.edu (user corruptus) (06/18/91)
I have some questions about SoftPC for the Macintosh and its capabilities.
I have read that it can do EGA graphics, can it do VGA graphics yet ?
If not, are they planned and how soon ?
Can SoftPC run Windows 3.0 ? How well ?
Are you able to use compilers written for the PC with SoftPC ?
I'm insterested in developing MSDOS software. Is it realistic to do
so with SoftPC ? I've seen ads for Orange Micros NuBUS 286 card, is that
a better alternative for software developement purposes ?
Is SoftPC System 7.0 friendly ?
Are there any known incompatabilities ?
Do terminal programs work correctly ? With high speed modems ?
Is printing a pain ?
What is the general impression of the package ? What are its strengths
and weaknesses ? Is it worth it, or should I just get a PC clone ?
Thanks in advance for any information about the package...
-Scott Palmer
palmer@chopin.udel.edujohnston@minnie.me.udel.edu (06/18/91)
In article <17285@chopin.udel.edu>, palmer@chopin.udel.edu (user corruptus) writes... >I have some questions about SoftPC for the Macintosh and its capabilities. >I have read that it can do EGA graphics, can it do VGA graphics yet ? No. >If not, are they planned and how soon ? Don't know. I talked to Insignia, and they said they are "looking into the possibility for a future version". Same answer when I asked about 386 emulation. >Can SoftPC run Windows 3.0 ? How well ? Yes. Slow. A Mac emulation on top of a DOS emulation runs slower than a Mac emulation on top of DOS. Then again, my XT-clone WON'T run Windows at all, and the Mac tests faster with "MIPS.COM", so if I had to run Windows it would be on my Mac. >Are you able to use compilers written for the PC with SoftPC ? I compiled some old Turbo Pascal code for the hell of it. It worked. >I'm insterested in developing MSDOS software. Is it realistic to do >so with SoftPC ? I've seen ads for Orange Micros NuBUS 286 card, is that >a better alternative for software developement purposes ? Why do this on a Mac? If you need to use DOS occasionally, SoftPC is great. The nuBus card solutions cost as much as some clones; why tie up a Mac when you can get a second computer for the same price? >Is SoftPC System 7.0 friendly ? Yes. I've had fewer problems with 7.0 than with 6.0.x. >Do terminal programs work correctly ? With high speed modems ? Procomm works, but why bother? This is one area in which Mac software wins hands down. I can't imagine why anybody would be willing to use a terminal emulator without a scroll-back window now that it is routinely available. High-speed modems? Again, remember that you're running an emulation on top of an emulation. Macs work better with high-speed modems than PCs, anyway. >Is printing a pain ? I always export files to the Mac side if I need to print, but SoftPC does provide printing support for any PC program that can print to an Epson MX-80 or compatible. It will also print to Postscript printers, but I haven't tried this. >What is the general impression of the package ? What are its strengths >and weaknesses ? Is it worth it, or should I just get a PC clone ? I think it's great, but I only use it for tasks that can't be done any other way. It's great for DOS consulting; in fact, cut and paste makes it an IDEAL tool for writing documentation for DOS-based programs. Another good use for SoftPC: whenever I get irritated at a minor flaw in the Mac System software, I try to spend a few minutes under DOS 3.3 with SoftPC. It's the quick way to get a clue ... -- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)
johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu (06/21/91)
In article <56536@nigel.ee.udel.edu>, johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu writes... >In article <17285@chopin.udel.edu>, palmer@chopin.udel.edu (user corruptus) writes... >>I have some questions about SoftPC for the Macintosh and its capabilities... >>Is SoftPC System 7.0 friendly ? >Yes. I've had fewer problems with 7.0 than with 6.0.x. Looks like I spoke too soon. Two problems with SoftPC and 7.0: 1) Programs that use sound freeze the Mac. Example: Procomm. Work-around: SoftPC lets you turn off the sound. 2) Apple Menu items don't work. (Nothing happens when item is selected.) Work-around: Switch back to Finder ... -- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)