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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!duke!phs!sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer)
From: sdyer@bbncca.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro.6809
Subject: Re: OS-9 an TRS CoCo
Message-ID: <355@bbncca.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 28-Nov-83 01:50:32 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.355
Posted: Mon Nov 28 01:50:32 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 28-Nov-83 23:07:39 EST
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References: <425@seismo.UUCP>
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Path:duke!decvax!bbncca!sdyer
Message-ID:<355@bbncca.ARPA>
Date:Mon, 28-Nov-83 01:50:32 EST
Organization:Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.

The CoCo OS-9 seems be to a complete implementation, though some of its
interfaces are different from standard OS-9 to prevent SS-50 "mainframe"
OS-9 users (who are Microware's bread-and-butter) from purchasing the
cheaper R/S OS-9 programs.  For example, the CoCo floppy disk format
is incompatible with the standard OS-9.  We haven't heard yet whether
object code is compatible.  If it isn't, I'm going to complain strongly
to Microware.  I would not like to run with one disk, but with two
it isn't too bad.  Note that you can also hack up a hard disk interface
(see microsoft!danm's recent posting) and there are rumors that R/S will
announce one too.  Microware stated that their C compiler which is K&R
will be offered fairly soon (expect 1stQ '84) directly from R/S.
CoCo OS-9 as delivered comes only with an assembler, so that has
dampened my enthusiasm to "dive in."

The CoCo comes with a single RS232 port, and I use this term loosely,
since it uses a weird DIN 4-pin connector AND it is strictly a bit-banger
using a 6522 PIA.  This is one of the major drawbacks of the CoCo.
You may be able to buy UART-based RS232 or parallel cards.

My playing around with OS-9 so far has made me suspect that Microware
has captured much of the sound of UNIX, but not much of the sense.
Why, for example, does one need both "LIST" (aka "cat") and "BUILD"?
Still, it's hard to beat a UNIX-like system for under $1000.
--
/Steve Dyer
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