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From: hrh@well.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: Re: Which clones *don't* run MINIX
Message-ID: <2529@well.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Feb-87 06:02:47 EST
Article-I.D.: well.2529
Posted: Fri Feb  6 06:02:47 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Feb-87 19:52:00 EST
References: <275@ihnp3.UUCP> <459@moncol.UUCP>
Reply-To: hrh@well.UUCP (Harry Henderson)
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 11
Keywords: MINIX BIOS COMPATIBILITY
Summary: Why not use the BIOS?

My apologies if this is a dumb question, by why the design decision to
make MINIX so hardware-dependant. Why wasn't the BIOS used? Does the
BIOS not provide enough functionality? If the problem is just speed,
why not write a slower version for those of us whose chips don't have
the right pedigree? The hardware dependance strikes at one of the
basic tentents of UNIX philosophy.


-- 
The opinions expressed are my own, but you're welcome to share them.
Harry Henderson (freelance technical editor/writer).