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Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!jimomura
From: jimomura@lsuc.UUCP (Jim Omura)
Newsgroups: net.micro.6809
Subject: Re: OS9 Version 2.00.00 Compatibility
Message-ID: <976@lsuc.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 14-Dec-85 23:10:00 EST
Article-I.D.: lsuc.976
Posted: Sat Dec 14 23:10:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 16-Dec-85 03:15:52 EST
References: <347@ucdavis.UUCP> <933@lsuc.UUCP> <899@t12tst.UUCP>
Reply-To: jimomura@lsuc.UUCP (Jim Omura)
Distribution: net
Organization: Barrister & Solicitor, Toronto
Lines: 49
Summary: Re: Level I, Version 2 v. Level II

In article <899@t12tst.UUCP> finley@t12tst.UUCP (Clay Finley) writes:
>I don't think that Radio Shack will intro OS-9 Level II.  It seems to me that
>they are trying to make the CoCo as cheaply as possible.  It seems that for
>the capability offered by OS-9 Level II you will possibly have to look to
>3rd party companies for this option.
>
>Regards,  Clay.

     I think, from your reference list, you've misunderstood the discussion.
We're talking about Level I, version 2, which does exist.

     Still, while we're on the subject of Level II.  I have to admit that I
don't tend to worry about whether or not we'll see it lately.  As for your
observation about Tandy's development trend as it's been, I agree.  I think
Tandy has made a fundamental mistake over the last year.  Up until last
year, the thing to do was to make your computer cheaper.  As of last year,
about this time, I think the thing to do was to make your computer *better*.
There seems to be a level below which it isn't worth it to sell computers.
It seems to be around the $300.00 to $500.00 range.  A computer below this
range seems to attract buyers who aren't willing to spend on upgrades.  As
such, if you sell on paper thin margin for the computer in the first place,
you can't even count on making it up by selling accessories or software.
The buyers in question won't pay.  Furthermore, you're killing the used
market which stiffles the older users (like me) if they want to upgrade to
a better computer.

     There were many upgrades possible.  Tandy *did* have a better keyboard
(which I've mentioned before) with the 4 extra keys.  Someone said that
it wouldn't be practical to have to have a special keyboard to use and
operating system.  This is a misunderstanding of what OS-9 is all about.
The point of OS-9 is that you can replace modules such as drivers very simply.
My own system has both a new display driver (WordpakII) and new disk driver
(SDisk).  Software compatibility generally doesn't suffer.  Furthermore,
even in one driver you can redefine or multiple define to accomodate 2
keyboards which are as close as these keyboards probably are.  Heck, I've
got an extra key on my Keytronics keyboard already.  I just haven't gotten
around to doing anything with it yet.

      Anyway, we'll see come March or May if the 512K version hits the streets.
If it does, then I expect it'll have the 6829 and OS-9 Level II.  I'm not
as positive this will happen as Van (CIS) is.  But we'll see.

                                          Cheers! -- Jim O.

-- 
James Omura, Barrister & Solicitor, Toronto
ihnp4!utzoo!lsuc!jimomura
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