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From: uhclem@trsvax
Newsgroups: net.micro.68k
Subject: Re: Info on OS9 Operating System
Message-ID: <55500010@trsvax>
Date: Fri, 20-Sep-85 11:34:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: trsvax.55500010
Posted: Fri Sep 20 11:34:00 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Sep-85 23:48:03 EDT
References: <347@wlbr.UUCP>
Lines: 35
Nf-ID: #R:wlbr.UUCP:-34700:trsvax:55500010:000:1657
Nf-From: trsvax!uhclem    Sep 20 10:34:00 1985




/* Written  5:48 pm  Sep 15, 1985 by ukma.UUCP!sean in trsvax:net.micro.68k */
Flame on!
OS9 has a real problem, and it's not in the software, but with the management.
Microware will not release source code to OS9, not even to developers!  I find
this apalling, and it is probably one of the main reasons that OS9 is not more
popular than it is.  They have really stuck it to themselves there, because
AT&T is starting to push SysV for the 68000, for which you can get source code.
...
/* End of text from trsvax:net.micro.68k */

Microware isn't alone.  Microsoft does not normally give source out for
anything.  For example, MS-DOS is always shipped as a "black-box" with
instructions on how to interface the drivers you write to the black box.
This is their "link-kit" package.  Even modules like FORMAT have a black-box
that calls your disk driver to format, then you return and it calls
you back with other requests to build the directory.  Microsoft sends
you sample drivers for some machine that is totally different from a IBM PC,
(I think it was a Intel 310 or some CDC box) that you can use as a
general guide (very general) on how to talk to the boxes they supply.
If you buy their Xenix products, you get the same thing, unless you are
willing to spend many kilo-bucks more for source, assuming that they
are currently offering it for sale.

I hate working without source, but that seems to be one of the current
market trends.