Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!lll-tis!ptsfa!well!wolf From: wolf@well.UUCP (Dwight Leu) Newsgroups: comp.unix.xenix Subject: 2nd to last posting on Microsoft dropping Xenix Message-ID: <4826@well.UUCP> Date: 23 Dec 87 20:58:27 GMT Lines: 102 Keywords: Microport UNIX XENIX BBS BIX, End of discussion? I'm glad to finally see some activity in comp.unix.xenix! And to think I was worried that creating comp.unix.microport would make things dull around here! My .signature has certainly stirred up one of the more lively discussions in this newsgroup. But it's a shame much of it has been wasted in flames while my original points seem to have been forgotten, and not dealt with. I've entitled this the "second to last" posting as I don't intend to continue discussing it further here. My last posting will be to extend my congratulations when a real guarantee on XENIX binary compatibility has been offered. Until then, I have nothing further to add. However I would like to redirect the discussions dealing with Microport to where they would be most welcome, and serve some real use; namely Microport's BBS. This is now open to everyone, not just Microport customers. An announcement about it and our BIX conferencing has been posted to comp.unix.microport. Since some folks have taken issue with my .signature, I will also drop it when I'm in this newsgroup. I've waited patiently these past couple weeks for an official response to my previous points. But there's been nothing. The closest comments came from two Microsoft employees, and neither made clear their authority to act as an official spokesperson. Nor was a program guaranteeing XENIX binary compatibility offered. Instead, many people have chosen to respond with various flames. These have done more than just warm up everyone's computers during the holidays; they have also distracted the discussion. Let me respond briefly by saying that many were addressed a couple months ago by Microport's President, and in this newsgroup. The results of these efforts have been seen over the past month; and many points brought up here have been resolved from them. But not everything; nor will there ever be an end to what I personally consider valuable customer input. We believed this back in October and it's one reason why we extended our USENET communication then; and have since brought up our BBS and BIX conferences over the past month. If you really want to contact the people involved with Microport, there is now a great opportunity for you to do so. I encourage you to explore these new services! I believe you will find that Microport has a far greater majority of satisfied customers than the appearance of a few vocal people may have you believe. Witness our nomination on the WELL for best software of the year, along with Locus, by Dave Hughes. Putting aside the flames and religious issues, the original point was about XENIX binary compatibility. This is a subject impacting many people in the UNIX industry; I've personally seen a great deal of confusion about it. As recently as October I surprised an editor with the "news" that the merged port will be available to everyone; no one has on exclusive on it. Working for a large technical weekly paper, his impressions are a reflection on the industry. Indeed, much confusion has even been seen in this newsgroup. Which is one reason why I felt obligated earlier to clarify some of the numerous misunderstandings about ATT's effort at commercializing UNIX, the merged UNIX/XENIX product, and to point out that there isn't any formal guarantee program with XENIX compatibility. Just the word "guarantee" has been stated; which is more of a commitment to the future than it is insurance on the delivery of next year's product. Several people rightfully pointed out Microsoft's commitment to customers over the long term. But insuring 100% binary compatibility next year, without a XENIX certification program in place, was the issue. So I leave the discussion with this point unresolved. I brought this up here because it affects not just XENIX users but UNIX users as well, myself included. The length of the program speaks of the effort involved; and I personally have a vested interest in Microsoft achieving their goals. So do many others; and clarifying misinformation about it is, in my opinion, important to the net. My apologies to those who thought these were marketing issues; I disagree, and this hasn't been my intention (though the distinction no doubt is different to various people). I believe everyone should be fully aware of the situation, and encourage the people involved towards achieving their stated goals. Such public awareness is one of the best ways of promoting the efforts toward 100% XENIX binary compatibility; which, if obtained, will benefit both UNIX and XENIX users alike. As for the original title, on whether Microsoft is dropping XENIX or adopting UNIX, apparently no consensus can be achieved. My views certainly are unchanged; perhaps the best which can be resolved is to agree on disagreeing. Finally, for those who are interested in pursuing this discussion further, the BIX and BBS conferences are open to you and are at your service. Get in touch with me at the addresses listed below; we should be able to network all interested parties. Your comments and views would be most welcome. -dwight- Dwight H. Leu ihnp4!amdcad!uport!dwight V.P. Engineering well!wolf Microport microsoft!sco!ucscc!uport!dwight 408-438-8649 bix: dleu Microport BBS: 408-438-6567 408-438-6687 (login: bbs) These statements expressed are of course my own viewpoint. "INSERT YOUR PITHY QUOTE HERE!" And Happy Holidays!