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Re: is there a GNO/ME faq?
- Subject: Re: is there a GNO/ME faq?
- From: bazyar@hypermall.com (Jawaid Bazyar)
- Date: 1995/12/07
- Followup-to: comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.gno
- Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2, comp.sys.apple2.gno
- Organization: Computer Systems Design Company
- References: <4a375s$dpe@redwood.northcoast.com>
Elizabeth Lucero (blinky@northcoast.com) wrote:
: i'm looking to get more use out of my GS, and maybe GNO is what i need,
: could someone send me an FAQ, or tell me where to get it, or just give me
: a general overview?
: thanx!
August 8, 1993 (Littleton, CO)
Procyon Enterprises announced today that they are now accepting
orders for the new version of their GNO/ME UNIX system for the
Apple IIGS.
Jawaid Bazyar, Vice President of Procyon and head engineer of
the GNO project, said "GNO/ME 2.0 represents a substantial
improvement over the original, which was in its own right a
ground-breaking work. In the past year since the original
release, we've listened to customer's concerns and addressed
most of them. We brought even more UNIX power to the IIGS by
implementing the most powerful inter-process communication
system available for the IIGS".
UNIX is quickly becoming the de-facto standard among operating
systems. Even operating systems which never claimed to be UNIX
compatible are rushing to provide POSIX compliance interfaces
for their systems. (POSIX is the International Standards
Organization's UNIX standard).
"This release reaffirms our committment to the Apple IIGS, a
very capable computer that many developers abandoned", said Matt
Gudermuth, President of Procyon. "Some people ask if the IIGS
is powerful enough to run UNIX, and many used to answer with a
resounding NO!. We answer these people by pointing out that the
first mainframe computers that ran UNIX were far less powerful
than the Apple IIGS. The IIGS is here to stay, and we're going
to keep supporting it with our powerful system software."
GNO provides UNIX features in an application environment that
runs "on top of" GS/OS, so that the IIGS software everyone
enjoys is actually enhanced by using GNO. Included as standard
with the GNO system are almost one hundred standard UNIX
utilites and some IIGS-specific ones such as print spooling from
text or desktop applications and a "shell-in-a-window" New Desk
Accessory. Full support for remote access to a IIGS via a
modem, and built-in ultra high speed serial communications means
that GNO is the perfect system for writing communications
programs.
"Communications is one of GNO's strong points," remarks Derek
Taubert, the individual responsible for the upcoming Internet
access software for GNO. "Because GNO does all the low-level
work for me, and gives me a simple interface to access it, I can
concentrate on the task at hand instead of worrying about
writing things like interrupt handlers".
GNO comes with comprehensive documentation covering all aspects
of the system, including programming the kernel, the shell, the
C and assembly libraries, and utilities.
For more information, including information on upgrade pricing,
contact Procyon at:
Procyon Enterprises Incorporated
Apple IIGS Software Publishing and Development
P.O. Box 620334
Littleton, CO 80162-0334 USA
(303) 781-3273
-----------------------------------------------------------------
New GNO/ME Purchases
--------------------
If you don't currently own GNO, you can purchase it from:
Byteworks ?? 505-898-8183
Visa/MC
GS+/Ego Systems $89 800-662-3634
Visa/MC
Procyon $89
(check/Money order by USMail only)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
GNO/ME 2.0 Upgrade Plan
-----------------------
To upgrade your copy of GNO/ME to 2.0, send a check or money
order, along with your GNO serial number, to the address at the
end of this note. At this time we cannot accept credit card
payments; we apologize for any inconvenience.
It is very important that you include your serial number. If
you have lost your original disks or manual, and don't know your
serial number, we have records for almost everyone (the database
we were using destroyed some records. Hopefully we can fully
restore the database during the update process).
If you purchased GNO before the final 1.0 release, but didn't
receive a real copy of GNO 1.0, subtract $10 from the upgrade
price. No fibbing! We know who got 1.0 and who didn't :-)
A $3 shipping fee applies to all domestic orders (including
Canada), $8 for overseas shipping.
----
Updates:
Full GNO 2.0 system, including all printed documentation: $30
GNO 2.0 system with only user references (kernel overview and
shell manual): $20.
----
Do not forget to add in the shipping fee - we cannot ship orders
that do not include shipping charges.
Send orders to:
Procyon Enterprises Incorporated
P.O. Box 620334
Littleton, CO 80162-0334
USA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
GNO 2.0 New Feature List
This is not a complete list - there were obviously bugs
corrected, but we didn't feel it was important to list them
here. Questions about fixed bugs are welome.
Kernel
------
Now provides six Inter-Process Communication methods for
unprecedented power (signals, semaphores, pipes,
pseudo-terminals, messages, and ports).
Named Prefix support. No matter what your hard drive partitions
are named, every GNO system has a /bin, /usr, /dev, /etc, and
other standard UNIX partition names.
The serial drivers were completely rewritten to allow high-speed
throughput, up to 38400 baud, and hardware and software
(XON/XOFF) flowcontrol. They also implement the complete set of
BSD control functions that are applicable on a IIGS.
Pipes are up to 30 times faster than in 1.0!
Compatible with System 6.0.1 features and applications - all
standard System Software utilities (such as Finder) now run in
GNO.
Compatible with all of the ORCA 2.0 version languages, including
ORCA/C and ORCA/Pascal.
New fork2() call makes it easy to fine-tune parameters of a new
process.
Console driver now maps arrows and OA-sequences to ESC codes
that can be read through the GS/OS read call.
GNO now sends SendRequest codes to indicate GNO start up and
shut down.
Removed limit on number of user semaphores (screate)
Code optimization means all these new features only take up 20K
more of memory!
Support for TCP/IP and sockets is implemented internal to the
kernel
Shell
-----
Directory stacks save typing when moving among many directories.
Complete command, filename, and variable-name expansion - just
hit TAB to have the shell finish typing for you.
Better support for running scripts in the background
Command-line editor is now completely user-configurable. Don't
like the standard editing keys? Change them!
More environment variables for customizing the operation of the
shell. More options in the PROMPT variable.
New built-ins show all accessible commands.
Can now invoke gsh with arguments to execute scripts and
commands (for use inside other programs).
More built-ins can have output redirected or piped.
Environment
-----------
New installer automatically sets up a GNO system on any
computer, and creates default configuration files. No more
fussing with "rc" files to get GNO up and running.
Complete docs for programming the kernel, shell and programmer's
libraries; and documentation for the standard UNIX utilities.
The documentation is now indexed.
All applicable utilities now use the termcap library for
flawless remote-access support. gsh, vi, less, more, etc. all
use termcap.
Print spooling utilities for both text files and GUI programs
(like AppleWorks GS).
gsi - Graphical Shell Interface NDA allows you to run a shell in
a window while in a desktop program
Suspend NDA allows the user to suspend a desktop application and
return to the shell. 'fg' resumes the desktop program.
rz/sz - Utilities for sending and receiving files via X,Y, and
ZModem protocols; these all work in the background!
copycat - a dumb terminal with some not-so-dumb features for
quick modem use.
Password-protected logins with multiple user accounts, and
library routines to help programmers access user information.
'ls' utility is restartable and much faster.
'launch' command allows you to run a ProDOS 8 (or other
incompatible) program and return directly to GNO without going
through another program launcher.
GNO Snooper CDA can now kill processes.
Replacement ORCALIB C library that better works with GNO.
Even better HFS and AppleShare support.
More than twice as many standard utilities as version 1.0.
--
GNO/METM Multitasking System for the Apple IIGS
Procyon, Inc. introduced the GNO Multitasking Environment at 'KansasFest 1992',
the Apple II developer conference and trade show. Reactions varied, from
"Really?" to "Crazy!". Multitasking is a method whereby several
programs can be made to seem to be executing at the same time. It's an
important concept; the industry is quickly moving towards
standardization around the UnixTM operating system, which supports
multitasking. GNO is the first such product for the Apple IIGS
microcomputer. GNO is an extension to GS/OSTM, the native IIgs
operating system. GNO enhances the functionality of GS/OS, and provides
changes to allow multitasking. It also keeps track of use of the
ToolBox, to prevent concurrent programs from getting in each others'
way. GNO is NOT a "Multi-Finder" program. GNO provides true preemptive
multitasking, a method where programs do not have to be written
specifically with multitasking in mind (unlike MultiFinder). GNO
switches between programs 60 times a second, to provide responsive
multitasking. GNO does not allow multiple desktop programs to run
concurrently. However, you will be able to run one desktop program with
any number of shell applications (GNO is not compatible with ProDOS 8
applications). In order to make GNO as useful as possible, it was
written to be fully compatible with GS/OS and the ORCA development
environment. Any shell utilities which you can use under the ORCA shell
can also be used with GNO. GNO also comes with a myriad of utilities
which are FREE - you can freely distribute them to your friends, no
strings attached (some utilities require use of the GNO system). All of
the ORCA languages can be used in the GNO system, and in fact are made
more powerful and robust. GNO comes with a standard shell, called
'gsh'. It's a command line interface that works exactly like popular
Unix shells such as 'ksh' and 'csh'. gsh allows you to run programs in
the background. For instance, you can start a program compiling, then
go back to editing the source code. The power this seemingly simple
ability gives can be the difference between simply getting your work
done, and getting it done well. Distributed along with GNO is a growing
Unix compatibility package. This allows you to compile many BSD Unix
programs for use on the IIGS without any modifications. Since GNO is a
true multitasking environment, you will be able to run many Unix
programs that were previously unavailable on the GS. GNO provides
powerful communication abilities, including high-speed serial drivers,
I/O redirection and true piping, as well as Inter-Process Communication
(IPC). Included with the serial drivers is support for TTYs; you'll be
able to connect to your GS with a modem or terminal and use the shell
without affecting the person sitting at the IIgs. Multi-user BBSs,
UUCP, and other powerful telecommunications programs are all possible
(and simple!) under GNO. You might be wondering, "This all sounds very
neat, but what can GNO do for me?". Multitasking is an "enabling
technology"; it enables you to do things you simply couldn't before.
The applications are as endless as your imagination. When you begin to
use GNO, you'll see whole new vistas of possibilities open up.
If you have questions please feel free to contact us at:
Procyon, Inc.
P.O. Box 620334
Littleton, CO 80162-0334 USA
(303) 781-3273
Unix is a trademark of AT&T Bell Labs.
GS/OS, IIGS, and MultiFinder are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
GNO/ME is a trademark of Procyon, Inc.
GNO/ME Features
Kernel
- Pre-emptive multitasking on top of GS/OS - Clones of many Unix system
calls (fork, execve, kill, signal, getpid, wait, semaphore routines,
process group control, signal,sigblock,sigpause,sigsetmask, etc.) make
porting powerful Unix software easier than ever.
- Traps BRKs and invalid COP instructions, terminating the process cleanly
and returning control to the shell. No more endless rebooting!
- Powerful debug modes- detailed information on kernel and GS/OS activity
can be displayed on screen (or, if redirected, on another screen!)
- Job control- complete control over processes via simple keyboard commands
like ^C (terminate process), ^Z (stop process, restartable via the
shell). No special programming is needed for programs to benefit from
this feature!
- Powerful terminal drivers include high speed console output and advanced
keyboard buffering. High speed serial I/O allows you to easily write
communications applications, and even connect a terminal to your IIGS for
remote login, or new debugging power.
gsh (command line interface)
- Powerful regular expression wildcard features make performing operations
on groups of files easy. The list of files chosen is determined before your
program executes- you no longer have to use Init_Wildcard in every program.
- configurable command history buffer with save-to-disk option
- command and file-name completion. Typing a partial filename followed by TAB
will automatically complete typing the name for you.
- fully customizable prompt allows items like current directory, time, history
number to be displayed in the prompt
- full range of variable manipulation features for configuring the shell
and any program that chooses to use them.
- aliases allow you to 'shortcut' complex commands, and provide another way
to customize and configure software.
- 'path' variable allows almost instantaneous access to executable programs in
any number of directories.
- job control- the user can run programs in the background, temporarily suspend
programs, and change program status to foreground or background.
- I/O redirection to any GS/OS or GNO file or device.
- true pipes- the programs in the pipeline execute concurrently for maximum
performance.
- advanced command line editor that supports the Apple Human Interface
Guidelines.
- many built-in commands to control processes and provide information on the
system
Environment
- Fully compatible with System Software 6.0
- Compatible with utilities and development tools (compilers, assemblers,
linkers) written for APW and the ORCA shell (versions 1.x and 2.0).
- GNO comes with full printed documentation; a Shell User's Manual, a Kernel
Reference Manual detailing all of the new system calls available in GNO and
describing changes and additions to existing GS/OS and ToolBox calls. Text
versions of all documentation are provided for quick access on-line. In
addition, GNO comes with a utility program which displays the original
AppleWorks GS manual pages on the text screen! The documentation is provided
in loose-leaf form to allow for easy manual updates and your own notes. A
three-ring binder is provided.
- GNO comes with a large number of utility programs common on Unix machines:
banner, binprint, cal, cat, conv, dhrystone, du, grep,
head, kill, ls, more, now, ps, purge, qtime, sleep, strings, sun, tar,
tee, touch, tr, uniq, wc, wumpus - and more are being ported every day.
What's more, these utilities are FREE. You can give them to your
friends, upload them, or even feed them to your dog if you like. And as
icing on the cake, source code is provided for ALL of the utilities.
[Many of these utilities also work under ORCA, and are available
separately from GNO for a minimal charge to cover shipping and disks.]
- GNO comes with a Unix compatibility library- commonly used C subroutines
are no farther than a link away. Porting software from other machines
was never this easy!
- Extremely responsive technical support is
available through the Internet (USENET newsgroups comp.sys.apple2.gno
and info-Apple), GEnie *(A2PRO), Delphi, and by phone.
- Installation is simple- GNO runs straight off the disks supplied, and only
three files need attention when changing the configuration. For hard drive
installation, simply copy to your hard drive and run!
--
Jawaid Bazyar | Affordable WWW & Internet Solutions
Interlink Advertising Svcs | for Small Business
bazyar@hypermall.com | P.O Box 641 (303) 781-3273
--The Future is Now!-- | Englewood, CO 80151-0641 (303) 789-4197 fax