Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!necntc!frog!rms
From: rms@frog.UUCP (Bob Santy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: OS/9 and other operating systems
Message-ID: <1965@frog.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 7-Dec-87 15:54:00 EST
Article-I.D.: frog.1965
Posted: Mon Dec  7 15:54:00 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Dec-87 03:21:59 EST
References: <8712030211.AA03408@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: Superfrog Heaven [ CRDS, Framingham MA ]
Lines: 41
Summary: OS9 for the Atari ST

In article <8712030211.AA03408@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, AB084@DK0RRZK0.BITNET writes:
> 1. A good OS should have very few (favorably no) bugs. It should
>    do what the documentation says, be predictable. No surprises
>    wanted.
The ST version of OS9 has some problems in device drivers that should be
fixed soon.  The RS232 port driver for /T1 can crash the system.  I have
managed to run with use of /T1 without incident, but others have much
trouble.
> 2. It should be well documented and function in an intelligible way.
>    It should have a clear concept, e.g. of files, processes, etc.
The references for the "professional" version of ST-OS9 are complete and
correct as far as I know.  OS9 is well known for a very "robust" file
system. 
> 3. It should be stable. This means it runs for days or even weeks
>    without crashing and it does so even if it is not left alone, if
>    there is somebody working all the time and if this someone makes
>    mistakes.
See comments in 1.
> 4. There should be good software available for it or at least become
>    avalilable in the near future. Some kind of compatibility with a
>    "standard" such as UNIX would be nice. It would make porting easy.
Again, the "professional" version has a fine C compiler that is
reasonably UNIX compatible. 
> 5. It should provide (or be integrated with) a modern developing
>    system. Editor, compilers, linker, debugger, make, and so on.
>    All powerful, fast, and easy to use. Compilers should of course
>    generate quick code.
See comments on 4.  The "professional" version has all plus two editors:
Emacs and a line editor "ed". 
> 6. Multitasking is a must.
OS9 is multitasking. 
> 7. Real time capabilities might be useful.
OS9 is real time. 
> Nice but not absolutely neccessary would be:
> 
> 8. A TOS/GEM emulator. Don't want to lose all the games. And the few
>    excellent programs (like gulam or uniterm).
Someone will  probably come up with an emulator, but there may be some
issues with the programs using resources improperly for OS9 to cope. 
> 

Bob Santy