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From: burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM (Philip M. Burton)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: A different View of the value of OS/2 - it's better than UNIX
Message-ID: <543@parcvax.Xerox.COM>
Date: Mon, 28-Sep-87 01:49:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: parcvax.543
Posted: Mon Sep 28 01:49:30 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 29-Sep-87 03:30:13 EDT
References: <494@parcvax.Xerox.COM> <961@looking.UUCP> <498@parcvax.Xerox.COM> <2440@drivax.UUCP> <1740@rti.UUCP>
Reply-To: burton@parcvax.xerox.com.UUCP (Philip M. Burton)
Organization: Xerox PARC
Lines: 39

In article <1740@rti.UUCP> bcw@rti.UUCP (Bruce Wright) writes:
>In article <2440@drivax.UUCP>, braun@drivax.UUCP (Kral) writes:
>>  ...				More than just for print spooling, time
>> sharing is needed for *any* background task:  modem control, keyboard mapping,
>> etc.  At least suspended-task technology is required for the other things.  How
>> many times have you been in your spread sheet and needed to look up something
>> in another file?  How many times have you been editing your source file an


Couple of issues here.  First, you are mixing user types when you mention
spreadsheets and source files.  Had you said correspondence, you would 
habve been on target.

Real users do however, print big spreadsheets, and Lotus, as an example,
just freezes up untuil the print job is over (or at least spooled to the
printer's buffer).  It's easy for the average Epson printer to take five minutes on a big sheet.  Sure would be nice the I could save or change m y file
while the printer is banging away.  Or start my letter.

Or, if my big spreadsheet takes 10 minutes to load and do all initial     
calculations, it would be nhice if I could get that done as a background task 
while I am typing my memo.  Or recalcing while printing my memo.  Or even
formatting my disks.

Or maybe, just maybe, I want to run TWO Lotus speradsheets at once, either 
in windows or on separate virtual screens.  Or whatever.

The notion that only us techies, read high priests of computerdo, need
a multi-tasking system is pure unadulterated horse feathers.  (It's also
a way not to get rich. -)).
  



(mailer wasted space)

-- 
Philip Burton       burton@parcvax.COM   ...!hplabs!parcvax!burton
Xerox Corp.         preferred path: burton.osbunorth@xerox.COM
408 737 4635   ... usual disclaimers apply ...