Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!convex!swarren
From: swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Amiga mentality
Message-ID: <101339@convex.convex.com>
Date: 10 Apr 90 17:15:56 GMT
References: <16296@snow-white.udel.EDU> <11059@bsu-cs.bsu.edu>
Sender: usenet@convex.com
Organization: Convex Computer Corporation; Richardson, TX
Lines: 31

In article <11059@bsu-cs.bsu.edu> mithomas@bsu-cs.UUCP (Michael Thomas Niehaus) writes:
>So the Amiga feels faster.  Can anyone answer the question of "why"?
>My guess would be that the Amiga is doing background processing (for
>things such as screen updates, etc.).  If so, this is great.
>
>-Michael

Well, I am not the expert around here on how the Amiga kernal works,
but I think I know some of the reasons that the user interface feels
surprisingly snappy for a multitasking machine running on a 68000.

1)  The kernal is very well-written (efficient algorithms are used).

2)  Graphics coprocessors that are well-fitted for managing a window-
     oriented display.  The 68000 does not need to physically move
     data in the display bitmaps.

3)  Lack of virtual memory means that there is no page-swapping overhead
     for the OS.

4)  Lack of memory protection allows faster message passing techniques.

5)  The priority level of the user interface is set very high.

Most of what I have written was gleaned from this very net.  If I am
wrong about something, please don't flame about it.  Just correct me ;^).

--
--Steve      DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own (I don't speak for Convex)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
	  {uunet,sun}!convex!swarren; swarren@convex.COM