Re: Spectrum etc. etc.

[derek@slab.slip.uiuc.edu (Derek Taubert)]

In article <1993Nov8.124749.25426@ifi.unizh.ch> gudat@avalon.unizh.ch (gudat  
henrik) writes:

> Here's a message from Seven Hills. Maybe you're interested in it.
> henrik
> [no disclaimers here]
   ^^ ^^^^^^^^^^
Probably a big mistake.  Here guys, step back, let me take a swing at Dave.

> I did not mean to imply that The Manager was the only system that
> multitasks.
>  Of course GNO multitasks!  {However, I was not aware that it multitasks
> desktop applications...does it now?}

(sigh)  No, GNO does not provide the ability to muck up one's screen with
too many windows, bouncing execution from desktop app to desktop app, each
one at the complete mercy of the others (oh, you said multitasking, right).
If I wanted to do this, I would write everything as an NDA and not have to
bother with The Manager in the first place.

However, GNO does provide a pre-emptive scheduler that a single desktop
application (in addition to multiple text based programs) can utilize to
execute multiple tasks simultaneously.  Each task is a separate entity in
itself, limited in context only by the resources of the machine.  This can
include (but is not limited to):
	shell interpreters (pre-emptive execution with cooperative displays)
	communication protocols (background XYZMODEM, TCP/IP, UUCP)
	real time task schedulers (cron)
	alternate interfaces (getty, login, telnetd)
	background processing (raytracing, data compression)

Just as desktop programs can be written to take advantage of the cooperative
abilities provided by The Manager, desktop programs can be written to use
the pre-emptive abilities provided by GNO.

> I even said that we have NOT intentionally done anything to make it NOT
> work with those systems!  But we haven't tested them, nor have we included
> any special support for them like we have for The Manager.

The fact that you haven't tested them with the existing programs is what is
causing most of the distrust.  I realize that there is little reason to make
Switchit and The Manager work together, but there are plenty of reasons for
you to make your products work with GNO.  Don't even tell me that you have
tried, because I KNOW it just simply isn't so.

> I wish I had direct access to Internet so I could respond directly...it
> seems like you guys are constantly _looking_ for reasons to go flaming on
> Seven Hills.  We're not out to get Jawaid or anyone.

Well gee, Dave, it's not like you have to give away your first born child to
get Usenet access.  It's probably a wise business decision, anyway (Usenet,
that is, not giving away your child =] ).  I'm not looking to randomly
aggravate people, it's just that you are _giving_ us plenty of reasons, and
making them publicly available.

Dave did say something useful, tho:

> If you prefer his products then support him, if you prefer ours then support
> us.  [sentence deleted]
> The IIGS market is too small for this crappy attitude.

Ahem.  Read those two sentences together in this context and be enlightened
about who is sporting the crappy attitude.  With what little we have left,
we should all be working TOGETHER.

--
Derek Taubert                   |  Ask me about TCP/IP for the Apple IIgs!
d-taubert@uiuc.edu              |  Really, I'm serious!
--------------------------------+  New GScii in the works too...
NeXTMail encouraged             |___________________________________________
t of the distrust.  I realize that there is little