Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!agate!ucbvax!ewc.bitnet!macmillm From: macmillm@ewc.bitnet Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: Rainbow Windows Message-ID: Date: 25 Oct 89 07:00:00 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 260 Here's the whole Windows announcement from Suitable Solutions: MICROSOFT WINDOWS/286 FOR THE DEC RAINBOW What is Microsoft Windows/286? ------------------------------ Microsoft Windows/286 is an extension to the MS-DOS operating system. With Windows, the user interface is in a consistent graphics-based form that can use a mouse to select files and commands. Applications software written for the Windows operating environment on an IBM PC will run under the Windows operating environment on the Rainbow. With Windows, you no longer need to think in terms of "Rainbow versions" and "IBM versions" of software! The complete Windows package for the Rainbow consists of Microsoft Windows/286 v2.11 and a Microsoft Mouse, along with the Rainbow Adaptation Kit developed by Leonard Berk Consulting for distribution by Suitable Solutions. What Can I Do With Windows/286 on My Rainbow? --------------------------------------------- With Windows/286, the restrictions on IBM-compatible bit-mapped graphics and communications software on the Rainbow is finally lifted. Graphics-based software written for Windows, such as Aldus PageMaker, Samna Ami, Corel Draw!, and Micrografx Designer, and communications software written for Windows, such as DCA Crosstalk, can now be run on the Rainbow. As the popularity of the Windows interface continues to grow, more and more developers are bringing out applications to work within the Windows environment. Microsoft Excel, a powerful and very popular spreadsheet for Windows, and Precision Software's Superbase 2, a database package for Windows, are examples of the kind of business-oriented packages for Windows that now run on the Rainbow, too, using the Rainbow Adaptation Kit for Microsoft Windows/286. When you work with Windows, you will generally be using a mouse as a pointing device to select items from pull-down menus and boxes with multiple-choice answers. Some people enjoy this mode of interacting with the computer more than typing commands at the keyboard. Windows brings to the Rainbow the ability to use new and interesting graphics-based software in the same way that it is used on an IBM-compatible system. With Windows, Rainbow users no longer have to feel left behind in the areas of graphics, desktop publishing, and communications. What CAN'T I Do with Windows/286 on my Rainbow? ----------------------------------------------- Windows/286 for the IBM contains several features that are not available in the Rainbow version. If you've never used the IBM version of Windows, these probably won't be a problem to you, but for those who are already familiar with Windows, please note these differences. With the Rainbow adaptation of Windows/286: 1. You won't be able to execute DOS commands from within Windows. To format a disk, for instance, you must exit Windows and use the MS-DOS FORMAT command. 2. Applications that run under Windows on an IBM as "standard" applications will not run under Rainbow Windows. These are applications that were written for MS-DOS, not specifically for Windows. To run such IBM MS-DOS applications on the Rainbow, you will have to exit Windows and use Code Blue, the PC-DOS emulator. 3. The initial release of Windows for the Rainbow will be monochrome only, even if used on a color monitor. 4. The keyboard autorepeat rate cannot be reprogrammed in Windows for the Rainbow. 5. You will not be able to use memory management software such as SMARTDrive or RAMdrive on the Rainbow. 6. The initial release supports only the U.S. keyboard. What Else Do I Need Before I Can Run Windows? --------------------------------------------- The minimum configuration on your Rainbow for installing Windows is: 640Kb of RAM Hard disk with at least 2 Mb free Rainbow Graphics Option MS-DOS v3.10 from Suitable Solutions You are likely to find the speed and the installation process somewhat frustrating without the following additional items: IDRIVE IBM-compatible floppy drive Turbow-286 accelerator board Code Blue Microsoft mouse This implies that the most satisfactory performance of Windows will be on 100B or 100+ Rainbows, which can use the Turbow-286 board. How Can I Order Windows? ------------------------ To order Windows for your Rainbow, you need to know: Your MS-DOS v3.10 serial number What type of IDRIVE you will be using (if any) You must have MS-DOS v3.10 from Suitable Solutions. The Microsoft Windows/286 retail distribution kit comes with two types of diskettes: 5-1/4" 1.2 Mb (high-density), and 3-1/2" 720Kb (double-density) >>> IF YOU HAVE A 3-1/2" IDRIVE: If you have a 3-1/2" IDRIVE, installation will be very straightforward. Order model #WIN2C, which includes the complete Windows/286 retail kit including Microsoft Mouse, as well as the Rainbow Adaptation Kit for Windows/286. >>> IF YOU HAVE A 5-1/4" IDRIVE: If you have a 5-1/4" IDRIVE, you cannot use the 1.2 Mb diskettes provided, but will have to obtain Windows on 360Kb 5-1/4" format diskettes. There are two ways of doing this: Either: Order model #WIN2C, which includes the complete Windows/286 retail kit including Microsoft Mouse, as well as the Rainbow Adaptation Kit for Windows/286. When you receive your Windows kit, send in (to Microsoft) the conversion request form with your registration card and proof of purchase. Microsoft will send you, at no charge, the entire set of 360Kb 5-1/4" diskettes you will need. Or: Call Suitable Solutions to get the Suitable Solutions Windows license agreement. Sign and return the agreement form with your order for model #WIN2I, which includes the complete Windows/286 retail kit including Microsoft Mouse, a complete set of the Windows/286 disks in 360Kb format, and the Rainbow Adaptation Kit for Windows/286. (The license agreement authorizes Suitable Solutions to open your package and obtain 360Kb format diskettes for you in advance, before shipping the Windows kit to you.) >>> IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IDRIVE: If you do not have an IDRIVE at all, and you intend to work with Windows applications extensively, you should seriously consider investing in a 3-1/2" IDRIVE. Most Windows applications today are distributed on this type of media, or on 1.2Mb 5-1/4" diskettes. Many companies have conversion programs similar to the one described above from Microsoft, but none will convert diskettes to RX50 format. However, if you still wish to purchase Windows but do not plan to install an IDRIVE, Suitable Solutions will perform the conversion for you for an additional charge. Again, you must first get our Suitable Solutions Windows license agreement, which authorizes us to open your package, obtain the 360Kb format diskettes, and then convert those diskettes to RX50 format diskettes on your behalf. Sign and return the agreement with your order for model #WIN2R, and you will receive the complete Windows/286 retail kit including Microsoft Mouse, a complete set of Windows/286 disks in 360Kb format, and a complete set of Windows/286 disks in RX50 format, along with the Rainbow Adaptation Kit for Windows/286. >>> IF YOU ALREADY HAVE WINDOWS AND A MOUSE The Rainbow Adaptation Kit is available separately if you already have Windows/286 (note: version 2.11 is required). Order model #WINRAK. If you already have MS-DOS v3.10, you will be asked for your serial number when you order. Remember that you must have the Windows/286 software in a format that can be loaded directly into the Rainbow, and simply copying files from the 1.2 Mb diskettes will not work. >>> FOR ORDERS FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES Although we can sell the Rainbow Adaptation Kit outside the United States, Suitable Solutions cannot sell Windows/286 outside the U.S. Therefore, Rainbow users in other countries should contact their Microsoft subsidiary office for the names of local dealers or distributors. (Suitable Solutions has a list of Microsoft subsidiary offices and phone numbers that we can mail or FAX upon request.) >>> WINDOWS SUPPORT When you purchase the Rainbow Adaptation Kit you will receive 30 days of Windows installation support from Suitable Solutions. However, this installation support, regrettably, will not extend to Windows applications; we simply do not have the resources. You may want to consider investing in a Rainbow Windows Support Agreement. This one-year support contract, available from the developer, Leonard Berk Consulting, includes unlimited telephone support beyond the 30-day installation period, free updates, support for installing Windows applications, and a quarterly newsletter specifically geared to Rainbow Windows users. Contact Len here on CompuServe for more detailed information (User ID #73547,1403) or by telephone at (416) 260-0348, or by mail at Leonard Berk Consulting, 401 Queen's Quay West, Suite 309, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2Y2, CANADA. >>> PRICES WIN2C $275 Complete Windows/286 kit including Microsoft Mouse and Rainbow Adaptation Kit, on 3-1/2" 720Kb disks (usable with 3-1/2" IDRIVE) and 5-1/4" 1.2Mb disks (cannot be installed on Rainbow, but may be exchanged through Microsoft directly for 5-1/4" 360Kb disks usable in a 5-1/4" IDRIVE). WIN2I $275 Complete Windows/286 kit including Microsoft Mouse and Rainbow Adaptation Kit, on 5-1/4" 360Kb disks (usable with 5-1/4" IDRIVE). You must first agree to the pass-through of Microsoft's license statement so that we can open the original kit and exhange the 5- 1/4" 1.2Mb disks on your behalf. WIN2R $350 Complete Windows/286 kit including Microsoft Mouse and Rainbow Adaptation Kit, on RX50 diskettes (usable without an IDRIVE). You must first agree to the pass-through of Microsoft's license statement so that we can open the original kit and exchange the 5- 1/4" 1.2 Mb disks on your behalf. WINRAK $ 89 Rainbow Adaptation Kit only (software, manual, and keyboard map). If you already have Microsoft Windows/286 and a Microsoft Mouse, you can order this option. Note that you still must have Windows in a format that can be installed on the Rainbow, and Windows/286 must be version 2.11. Windows Support Agreement $100 Not available through Suitable Solutions; please contact Leonard Berk Consulting directly, at the address and phone number listed above. ***************************************************************** If you need any further information, please contact Suitable Solutions here on CompuServe, user ID #76666,3003, or call us at (408) 727-9090, or write to us at 1700 Wyatt Drive, Suite 12, Santa Clara, California 95054, or send us a FAX at (408) 727-0823. Michael E. Macmillan --------------------------------------------------------------- CompuServe: 74206,577 Bitnet : macmillm@ewc GEnie : macmillan ---------------------------------------------------------------