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From: JS05STAF@MIAMIU.BITNET (Joe Simpson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: PPC, IAC, and True Multitasking (tm)
Message-ID: <90240.142635JS05STAF@MIAMIU.BITNET>
Date: 28 Aug 90 19:26:35 GMT
References: <1990Aug3.040513.14844@d.cs.okstate.edu> <2760@bridge2.ESD.3Com.COM> <13888@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Organization: Miami University - Academic Computer Service
Lines: 28

In article <13888@cbmvax.commodore.com>, valentin@cbmvax.commodore.com (Valentin
Pepelea) says:
>
>In article <2760@bridge2.ESD.3Com.COM> ngg@bridge2.ESD.3Com.COM (Norman
>Goodger) writes:
>>
>>       Despite the -:)'s, I say there is no such thing as "True
>>       MultiTasking", you either have "pre-emptive" or "cooperative"
>>       MultiTasking. Take your pick...
>
Valentin replies:
>Actually, you either have pre-emptive multitasking, or you have nothing.
 
The above statement is a matter of perspective, but raises an issue that
troubles me.  The VM/CMS mainframe that I am using to compose this note
has "pre-emptive multitasking".  I presumable benefit from this in
numerous ways, but if I want to run program B while waiting for program
A to finish, I cannot do it.  I can't even suspend program A to
accomplish program B and then return to program A except in special
circumstances.  The Mac that is doing my terminal emulation currently
has a work processor, terminal emulator, data base, and a second
terminal emulator open.  I can work whenever and wherever I want.
Limited background processing and very fast context switching are
available.
   My question:
Can anyone describe the benifits I have on my Mac that are denied to
me under VM/CMS is the simple and straightforward manner that Valentin
discussed the hardware architecture issue?