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From: dds@ecsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: re: pc lookalikes (tropix.170)
Message-ID: <1547@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Nov-83 18:31:18 EST
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.1547
Posted: Tue Nov 15 18:31:18 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 22-Nov-83 00:01:07 EST
Lines: 36

In response to Bob Moore's jaundiced view of the Compaq's compatibility
with the IBM PC, I'd like to say that I've used a Compaq on a number of
occasions to run standard applications programs--WordStar, dBASE II,
and MultiMate--in the IBM disk format.  All ran without the slightest
problem.

Certainly it's important to know how readily an MS-DOS computer will
run IBM software without modification, especially since IBM has become
such a dominant force in the 8088 market.  But many of the 8088
computers offer splendid features that the IBM lacks.  I direct a
microcomputer lab at North Carolina State University equipped with 25
Victor 9000s.  Our computers aren't compatible with the IBM, but we
deliberately rejected compatibility to get some important features that
the IBM either didn't offer or were available only as expensive add-ons
to the basic unit.

Our Victors provide us with a totally programmable keyboard,
programmable character sets in RAM, 600K drives on the least expensive
model, two serial and one parallel port, and an 800 x 400 resolution
screen display.  True, we're limited in the software we can run, but in
a University lab situation, we can only afford to license a few
programs anyway.

My point?  Well, I'm annoyed when I read someone's comments that the
IBM is the only product you should buy.  Microcomputer technology isn't
well served by such a simpleminded view.  The technology will flourish
the better if people make computer purchases with broader objectives in
mind than "Is it just like an IBM?"

Douglas D. Short
Director, Computer Lab
Department of English
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27650

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