Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!sunybcs!boulder!hao!oddjob!gargoyle!ihnp4!upba!qetzal!rcw From: rcw@qetzal.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: A different View of the value of OS/2 - it's better than UNIX Message-ID: <198@qetzal.UUCP> Date: Sun, 13-Sep-87 15:33:59 EDT Article-I.D.: qetzal.198 Posted: Sun Sep 13 15:33:59 1987 Date-Received: Tue, 15-Sep-87 01:32:16 EDT References: <494@parcvax.Xerox.COM> Organization: Mentor Software Inc., Thornton, CO. Lines: 55 Keywords: market acceptance of UNIX lacking Summary: ahem... In article <494@parcvax.Xerox.COM>, burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM (Philip M. Burton) writes: > [much stuff about how DOS is so much simpler to use deleted] Customer Question: Can two or more people use my DOS application simultaneously? Me: Unfortunately not. Let me tell you about Unix(TM)... Customer Question: What about going with OS/2 Version 1.0? Me: Never go with Version 1.0 of anything... ----- In general, I have to agree with burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM's observations. When writing a new application, it may first be delivered on DOS. When the user becomes familiar with that application, it is then much easier to move it to UNIX(TM) and train the customer how to access his application. If done correctly, and you allow training time in the contract, the user will be extremely happy with the multiuser implementation of his application. In some applications, DOS provides a viable upgrade path. In terms of training neophyte users, we have been doing this successfully for years in the oil and gas business. The secret is to have lots of patience and personal contact with the user. Are we comparing apples (DOS) to oranges (UNIX(TM)) here? I think so. For some applications, DOS would never be considered. For example, an application which requires two or more people accessing a database at the same time. On the other hand, I would not consider UNIX(TM) for a single person spreadsheet application. A user's willingness to learn more about her/his system is also a big factor. If an application is very critical, I find they are more willing to learn whatever is necessary to use the application. The difficulty of using a UNIX(TM) application is more of a reflection on the designer than on the user. It is very possible to "hide" most of the Unix crap from the user. It is not trivial to do. Because of closeness and familiarity with the OS, you can forget to "hide" it properly. Let a user review it for you, and listen to the suggestions. OS/2 will be faced with many of the issues Unix faces. From the rumors I hear on the net, it appears that OS/2 will be very unix-like. For some reason, the belief persists that a multiuser operating system is just an enhanced DOS. It is not. It is much more complex. If you can think of a way to implement a multiuser operating system that is as simple to use as DOS, do it. You will be rich. -- Robert C. White, Jr *---- ----* MENTOR SOFTWARE, INC. 1-303-252-9090 ihnp4!upba!qetzal!rcw | |_| | Specializing in Unix applications, 11534 Steele St. | _ o _ | system software and administrativa. Thornton, CO 80233 | | | | | | "We will make it work for you."