Newsgroups: comp.os.coherent
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uupsi!jpradley!shawn
From: shawn@jpradley.jpr.com (Shawn Blair)
Subject: Re: More coherent inquiries ...
Organization: NYC Public Unix
Distribution: comp.os.coherent
Date: Fri, 05 Apr 1991 15:40:23 GMT
Message-ID: <1991Apr05.154023.19951@jpradley.jpr.com>
Summary: Coherent features; software available
Keywords: coherent software features 
References: <39467@fmsrl7.UUCP> <25581@hydra.gatech.EDU>
Sender: Shawn R. Blair

I have seen several postings of inquiries about coherent features and software
in our new newsgroup for coherent users.  I have had coherent installed on a
20mb (8mb DOS, 12mb Coherent) since November, 1990.  In short, I LOVE IT!  For
the cost, I personally think Mark Williams Co. did a great job.  Now for what I
have learned ...

Coherent comes as a full operating system with all necessary tools to do basic
software development and uucp mail.  The system comes with cc, yacc, lex,
*roff, uucp, mail, and other things I know I have left out.  I am fairly new to
unix environments, but I think their tools are pretty acceptable for small
model development.  UUCP functions well (old style uucp), mail is pretty basic,
and kermit is included with the os.
 
Mark Williams Co. has a bulletin board system for registered users of Coherent
where you can test your uucp setups.  They also try to maintain available
PD software ports to the coherent os on the bbs (called mwcbbs).  For example,
I have downloaded, compiled, and am running such packages as xcmalt (comm),
CoMB (like elm), less, deliver, clam (csh like shell).  And that's only a
sampling!  I have a four page list of all updates (coherent fixes, etc), and
ported software available on the mwcbbs.  I have no doubt that much more is on
its way in the future.  In fact, another thread in this newsgroup is talking of
TCP/IP and VP/IX types of support.

Drawbacks that I see coherent as having as of version 3.10 (current) would be
lack of support for swapping and limitations to the 64k models.  The lack of
swapping means that when you run out of memory your program just stops.  The
64k model limitation is self explanatory.  (Please correct me if I'm wrong on
these things :). )  But with the creativity and the vast resources of the folks
on the net, I doubt any of these things will last long!

So there you have it from one horses mouth.  I hope this helps answer many of
your questions.  I highly recommend Coherent for those that are looking for a
low budget option and/or a good home os.