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From: iv@trsvax
Newsgroups: net.micro.trs-80
Subject: Re: Getting around the Tandy Device Dri
Message-ID: <70700053@trsvax>
Date: Mon, 25-Nov-85 21:30:00 EST
Article-I.D.: trsvax.70700053
Posted: Mon Nov 25 21:30:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 28-Nov-85 04:20:10 EST
References: <627@isrnix.UUCP>
Lines: 40
Nf-ID: #R:isrnix.UUCP:627:trsvax:70700053:000:1901
Nf-From: trsvax!iv    Nov 25 20:30:00 1985


/* Written  4:03 pm  Nov 19, 1985 by isrnix.UU!hal in net.micro.trs- */
/* ---------- "Getting around the Tandy Device Dri" ---------- */
The kernel oriented device-drivers for ports A and B, the cul0 and 1,
even on the latest version of Xenix 3.0 for the 6000 or the upgraded 16b,
still expect you to be using Tandy/Radio Shack Modems, and if you are not,
they intend for it to be awkward as possible to get around.

[ . . . ]  They have kept it almost
imposible for the beginning system users, and awkward for the rest of us.

My question, is why ?

Hal Fuquay
/* End of text from net.micro.trs- */

Now, to answer Hal's question, the reason Tandy did not offer  support
for multiple modems is because the /dev/cua? driver was in the KERNEL,
and it is very hard to code a  reasonably  sized  modem  pseudo-driver
that  handles  more  than  1  modem type.  I know, because I wrote the
driver in question.  Naturally, our merchandising folk wanted  support
for our own modems, and so that's what I coded it for.  To offer  more
than  one  modem  type would entail having the user relink the kernel,
and that was ruled out-of-the-question.  (Can you  imagine  trying  to
explain  to  a  novice/first-time  user  how to relink the kernel?  No
thank you!)

The solution to this problem, as you may have read in another note, is
to do the dialing externally as we did with our XENIX 3.0 release.

[This information was provided by an individual and is  not nor  should
 be  construed  as  being provided by Radio Shack or Tandy Corporation.
 Radio Shack and/or Tandy Corporation have no obligation to support the
 information  provided.    The  author will, however, cheerfully accept
 mail.  This note will dial out in 5 seconds.  Good luck, Hal.]

				IV  (aka John Elliott IV)
				Tandy Systems Software; Fort Worth, TX
				... {convex!ctvax,microsoft}!trsvax!iv
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