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From: enders@plains.NoDak.edu ( WD0BCI )
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: Re: MINIX 1.1 - 1.5 and more
Message-ID: <10202@plains.NoDak.edu>
Date: 5 May 91 17:41:59 GMT
References: <1991May4.114742.485@debet.nhh.no>
Organization: North Dakota State University  Fargo, ND
Lines: 36

In article <1991May4.114742.485@debet.nhh.no> si0_tb90020@debet.nhh.no writes:

>So, the questions. Is it worthwhile starting the upgrade process, or
>                   should I shell out a $169 for the last version.
>                   If upgrading is managable... How much HD space should
>                   I set aside for minix (for upgrading).
>

     The question here is really "which is more important, your time or your
money?".  The upgrade process is relatively manageble, even on a pc.  For 
reference, it took me about 3 weeks, off and on, to go from 1.2 to 1.5.10.
Aside from some small glitches (which are readily fixed, even if you are not
a Minix source guru :-), it only took the time to patch and recompile 
everything.  I have 10 MB on my HD for Minix, and with all the source,
binaries, etc., I have about 2 meg left.  15 meg would probably be better.
All temporary files should be directed to the HD (which does slow things down
a bit), to save you from the frustration of running out of room on the RAM
disk.  Of course, if you have lots of RAM available, you just have to increace
the size of /dev/ram (700KB would be nice, more if you could spare it).

     If you don't have the time to play with upgrading, break down and spend
the $169.  Also, if you are coming up from 1.1, be sure that you have the
copy for 640K pc's, as the version for 256K pc's doesn't have the compiler
binaries on it.

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Todd Enders - WD0BCI                  ARPA: enders@plains.nodak.edu
Computer Center                       UUCP: ...!uunet!plains!enders
Minot State University                  or: ...!hplabs!hp-lsd!plains!enders
Minot, ND  58701                     Bitnet: enders@plains

     "The present would be full of all possible futures,
      if the past had not already projected a pattern upon it" - Andre' Gide

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