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From: ngb@otter.hpl.hp.com (Neal Baker)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: Re: Windows and Networks
Message-ID: <10960020@otter.hpl.hp.com>
Date: 7 Mar 91 16:13:29 GMT
References: <4637@eastapps.East.Sun.COM>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Bristol, UK.
Lines: 53

We use Microsoft Lan Manager 1.1 with Windows 3.0 in Real mode. This allows
our PCs to use OS/2 and unix machines as file and print servers, and fast 
access to a mainframe-based mail service.

> What features does it have that you really like?
> 
The EM386 memory manager that comes with LM 1.1 moves some stuff into high 
memory thus freeing some conventional memory.  Also it is resilient to
network failures (unlike Novell Netware that we have used in the past that
necesitated rebooting PCs).

PCs with small disks can expand their storage capacity using network drives
exactly as if they were local.

You can back up your PC to a remote hard disk instead of to floppy or tape.
You can update or install sofware from a server.

NewWave 3.0 allows shared folders for collegues to share common information
accross the net, with controlled check-in/out access.

> Really hate?
> 
The file manager in Windows is intolerably slow displaying the directories
of network drives.

> Can you Browse around to figure out what's available?
> 
Yes, just like browsing local disks. 

> Can you Print to networked printers?
> 
Yes, and view the remote queues.

> Can you send messages or mail?
> 
I use NewWave Mail which has the big usability advantage that you can mail
wordprocessing documents, images, spreadsheets etc. as well as send and receive
plain text off the more conventional mail networks. You mail any file just
by 'picking' it up with the mouse and 'dropping' it onto the mail icon. You
address the message by similarly dropping a distribution list onto the
envelope, or typing by it.

> If you had it to do over again, would you pick the network you are
> using (for use with Windows)?
> 
Yes, as an alternative I would also investigate if Windows integrates as good
with Novell.

> I'd like to start some discussion on this, but if people would rather
> mail me directly, that's fine too.
> 
> Thanks
> ----------