Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcc6!calmasd!jpm
From: jpm@calmasd.CALMA.UUCP (John McNally)
Newsgroups: net.works,net.legal
Subject: Re: xeroX slime ad warning
Message-ID: <1846@calmasd.CALMA.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Apr-86 12:05:14 EST
Article-I.D.: calmasd.1846
Posted: Wed Apr 23 12:05:14 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 26-Apr-86 06:35:56 EST
References: <719@hoptoad.uucp>
Organization: G.E. CALMA R&D, San Diego, CA
Lines: 52
Xref: watmath net.works:1304 net.legal:3321

John Gilmore of Nebula Consultants in San Francisco writes:
______
In the April issue of Byte, on page 140, is an ad for the xeroX 6085
"Professional Computer System".  It's full of slime.  Here's a sample,
the first two paragraphs:

      "  It's the first professional workstation and personal computer
         and communications terminal -- in one.

       "  It's the first workstation ever with an enormous 19 inch bit
	map screen.  With multiple windows that let you neatly display
	and process what used to clutter up your desk.  Windows that can
	be stretched the entire width of the screen so you can see your
	work.  And let you conduct numerous operations at the same time.
	Like running PC programs, running mainframe progreams or
	downloading selected data from host computers.  And, integrating
	the results.  Even copying or moving host data into PC
	spreadsheets, or PC spreadsheets into xeroX' special ViewPoint
	Document Editor.  True integration!  Any window to and from any
	window!"

...

The Sun-2 and Sun-3 have had an "enormous" 19-inch bitmapped screen for
several years, so xeroX is not "the first".  With multiple windows, etc
etc etc.  With the right software and hardware, you can run PC
programs, talk to mainframes, etc.  You can copy things from any window
to any other.

...

It's sad to see that since xeroX can't make it because of inability to
get its shit together, they are trying to do it by lying.
________

I could be very wrong on this, but it isn't the Xerox 6085 an
economical version of the Xerox STAR?  The Xerox STAR, as readers
will probably recall, WAS the first computer system to accomplish
all these great claims.  People spun-off from Xerox PARC after
the STAR was completed went to places like SUN microsystems and
Apple (where they developed the LISA and the followup, the MAC).
So, it seems that Xerox is not lying in their claims (although
they are not exactly straightforward either!).  I also agree with
you that Xerox really blew a chance to make big bucks with the
STAR, but then Xerox also built the SIGMA-7 computer - the first
good time-sharing machine - way ahead of its time, it even
pre-dated the IBM 360 (TSO - yyuk!).  How many people have ever
heard of the SIGMA series of multi-user computers?

-- 
John McNally  GE/Calma  9805 Scranton Rd. San Diego CA 92121
...{ucbvax | decvax}!sdcsvax!calmasd!jpm      (619)-587-3211