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From: bill@ssbn.UUCP (Bill Kennedy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: MKS Toolkit
Message-ID: <348@ssbn.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 25-Aug-87 12:26:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssbn.348
Posted: Tue Aug 25 12:26:13 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 28-Aug-87 00:41:19 EDT
Distribution: na
Organization: W.L. Kennedy Jr. & Associates, Pipe Creek, TX
Lines: 29

I watched, with interest, the flaming contest that went on between MKS
and users a few months ago.  I just concluded a similar session with
them via email and the net should know what can make it malfunction.  I
experienced everything from scribbled files to "reset required" hang ups
when running the Toolkit and I got *really* upset when MKS didn't reply
to my inquiries as fast as I thought they should (that grumble remains).

If you plan to use the Toolkit under DOS 2.x, do so at your own risk.
MKS says it works, other users say it works, but I can tell you how/why
it won't work.  The Korn shell requires a fair amount of space in the
ENVIRONMENT and DOS 2.x is very skimpy, 256 bytes I think.  If you do not
use SET's, other than the Toolkit or very short ones it will probably
work just fine.  If you do use SET's or very long ones, you are at risk
of overflowing the ENVIRONMENT space and if you are unsuspecting, you will
assume that MKS broke your computer (I did).

DOS 3.x is more forgiving than 2.x and even gives you some ways to stretch
the space beyond the default.  As a minimum, use 3.x and if you need to,
expand the ENVIRONMENT space beyond the default and you should have no
trouble with the Toolkit.  If you do have problems, use the telephone, they
aren't very prompt about answering email and there are some things that are
more easily explained verbally.  Besides, it's not fair to use other people's
phone bills for email traffic that is more appropriately done orally on your
own phone bill.  Finally, if you are running DOS 2.x, spend the money for 3.x
before getting the Toolkit, you'll spend many more dollars in grief and
stomach acid if you do.  In my case some things I wanted to do were just not
possible and none of it was MKS' fault.
-- 
Bill Kennedy  {cbosgd | ihnp4!petro | sun!texsun!rrm}!ssbn!bill