Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!apple!claris!wombat
From: wombat@claris.com (Scott Lindsey)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Multitasking & the IIgs
Keywords: Multitasking, IIgs
Message-ID: <9294@claris.com>
Date: 30 Mar 89 04:55:30 GMT
Organization: Claris Corporation, Mountain View CA
Lines: 26

Recently, there has been a bit of talk about multitasking on an Apple, and
even Unix.  While it might be possible to create from scratch such an
environment, literally a Unix-type OS, making one that is compatible with
existing software is next to impossible.

Taking the worst candidate (the IIgs):  multitasking compatibly with GS/OS
and the tools would be nightmarish.  Neither the tools nor GS/OS are
reentrant, and the tools are definitely not designed to deal with more than
one application at a time.  Writing even a MultiFinder, or simpler yet, a
Switcher would require quite a bit of effort.  Another problem is that the
I/O space is open for anyone to play with.  What if an application disables
interrupts that the OS depends on for time-slicing.

Perhaps if all applications involved are well-behaved & adhering to standards,
but that is something that has been visibly lacking in GS applications.

Finally, is it worth it?  Yes, I know the advantages of multitasking & multi-
user environments.  I "grew up" computationally under Unix & I favour that
system strongly, but to suggest it could be compatible with the current IIs
& software is folly.

-- 
Scott Lindsey     |"Cold and misty morning. I heard a warning borne in the air
Claris Corp.      |    About an age of power when no one had an hour to spare"
ames!claris!wombat| DISCLAIMER: These are not the opinions of Claris, Apple,
wombat@claris.com |    StyleWare, the author, or anyone else living or dead.