Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site think.ARPA Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!yale!think!ejb From: ejb@think.ARPA (Erik Bailey) Newsgroups: net.micro,net.micro.pc Subject: Multitaskers (rather long...) Message-ID: <2993@think.ARPA> Date: Mon, 7-Oct-85 16:49:34 EDT Article-I.D.: think.2993 Posted: Mon Oct 7 16:49:34 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 9-Oct-85 04:25:20 EDT References: <6411@duke.UUCP> Reply-To: ejb@think.UUCP (Erik Bailey) Followup-To: net.micro.pc Organization: Thinking Machines, Cambridge, MA Lines: 80 Xref: linus net.micro:11039 net.micro.pc:5259 Summary: In article <6411@duke.UUCP> jds@duke.UUCP (Joe D. Sloan) writes: > > Can anyone give me any information of a product called >E-Z DOS-IT or an address/phone number for Hammer Computer Systems, >publishers of E-Z DOS-IT? The product is supposed to run programs >concurrently under DOS, using about 8K of memory for itself. Thats >all I know about the product. > > . . . > > Joe Sloan, > duke!jds > (919) 684-3754 First, the address of Hammer: Hammer Computer Systems, Inc. 900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 250 Larkspur, CA 94939 (415) 461-7633 / (800) 228-9602 California: (800) 423-5592 Oper. #16 I have had no experience with this company, so cannot give you a reccomendation on this partuticular product. HOWEVER - I can give a roundup of a few multitaskers in general (which is why I posted this to the net). So, here goes... I personally have three: Double-Dos (I forget who makes it, I could post a short msg when I find out), MultiLink (The Software Link), and a brand new *freeware* DOS-shell/multitasker called DOSamatic (Marin Pacific something-or-other. I'll check this, too). Double-Dos is a very well-written multitasker if you only want 2 partitions [hence the name Double-Dos]. You load it up, and it asks you how much memory/partition (this can later be changed). It then sets up, and you happily work away, using ALT-ESC (a great key choice) to switch partitions. CTL-ALT-DEL (reset) brings you to a full-page menu with several options, dpending on what you are doing, including reset. I have found very few incompatibilities (aside from programs which trap keyboard input 100%, thus not letting the keystrokes get to the system). I think DOUBLEDOS goes for under $100. MultiLink is the Cadillac of multitaskers. It costs *gulp* $500, and gives a lot for it, but bnot enogh to warrant the cost. $200 tops, in my opinion. Anyway - using MLINK you can have up to 10 partitions, switching is done by ALT-Fn (n = partition # - 10 = foreground). The one MAJOR disadvantage with this is speed - VERY SLOW. It comes with a slew of utilities, though. To sum it up - MLINK sits on the shelf; I use DOUBLEDOS. And new - the newest entry (as of 10pm last night) - DOSamatic! This little gadget is almost too good to be true. It is a DOS shell (like 1DIR, but better-designed) & multitasker in one! It can handle up to 7 tasks, and appears to be very fast. The shell supports DOS extensively, and uses pleasing colors and layout. This has several inconsistencies in the multitasking, but none yet in the shell. But who cares??? The program is free! And the freeware cost is $39 (this is one I gotta do). And if someone register you paid-for copy, you get 10%! $3.90 for each person! Not bad... As if you haven't noticed - I like this program. I will gladly post it if there is a good way of doing binary files on net.sources. Give me some feedback on this! Oh, one more thing - it has context-sensitive help (al la SideKick). Ok Joe - I know you got more than you bargained for, but I hope this sheds some light on the subject. Disclaimer - I have NOTHING to do with any companies listed above. PS - followups have been directed to net.micro.pc... -- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ Erik Bailey -- Spring Valley Software Co. (USENET courtesy of inhp4!godot!ejb 7 Oak Knoll Thinking Machines Corp. ejb@think.com.arpa Arlington, MA 02174 Cambridge, MA) (617) 643-0732 "What is the most enforced law in the world?" "Murphy's." ** FREEWARE FOREVER ** _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _-