Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!rutgers!im4u!ut-sally!utah-cs!utah-gr!uplherc!esunix!blgardne From: blgardne@esunix.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: Mac vs. Amiga (vs. ST) Really multitasking Message-ID: <340@esunix.UUCP> Date: Wed, 28-Jan-87 11:44:57 EST Article-I.D.: esunix.340 Posted: Wed Jan 28 11:44:57 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 31-Jan-87 16:35:03 EST References: <8392@watrose.UUCP> Lines: 52 in article <8392@watrose.UUCP>, jafischer@watrose.UUCP says: . . . > I _DO_ envy your multitasking! I'm just curious how useful it > actually is. I.e., is it that necessary in a personal computer, > and is it worth the slow-down in execution? Even though I would really _like_ > it, would I really use it that much? > > Uh oh, this could be taken as a typical my-PC-is-better-than-yours > posting. It isn't. The main intent of this posting is the question of > multitasking. > > - Jonathan Fischer Multitasking is like a PC: if you don't have one, the question is "what good is it?" after you've used it the question is "how can you live without it?". Multitasking is one of the reasons I bought my Amiga, it sounded like a great idea, and none of the other systems offered it. Of course the question from my friends was "what will you ever use multitasking for?". How about this: I'm online with a local BBS, downloading a bunch of neat new public domain software, usually in ARC format. After I've got one file downloaded, I can deARC it, and start fiddling around with it from a CLI window (or Workbench if you wish) while downloading the next file. Or I can type up a message to be posted, or create an ARC file to upload, while still downloading. Ever have a HUGE file to download or upload? Play a game of Othello, Missile Command, or Asteroids while the modem is busy. It's true that some form of the above is available on other systems with careful selection of your software. But the point of the Amiga's multitasking is that _any_ combination of programs is possible. I guess I'm addicted to multitasking now. Last week I was downloading some stuff from Usenet, and had a couple of files in my Amiga, when I thought "hey, I ought to upload this stuff to the local Amiga BBS!" I had it all ARCed up and ready to go when suddenly I realized "Oh, I've only got one modem, and it won't multitask. Darn!" You can get REAL used to multitasking! Help stamp out PC wars: stamp out crossposting! -- ================================================= "The Admiral is well aware of the regulations..." ================================================= Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland {ihnp4, decvax}!decwrl!esunix!blgardne 560 Arapeen Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 (801) 582-5847