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On Tue, 11 Apr 1995, Richard Layman wrote:

> We did a program last week on operating systems and platforms for our
> series of satellite-delivered programs with PBS's Adult Learning Satellite
> Service.  In the car on the way to the airport, we were talking about
> operating systems (frankly) and the consensus was that Microsoft Windows
> could be beaten out by an operating system that allows _true_ multitasking
> _and_ multiprocessing.
There are a few requirements.  True multitasking, TCP/IP capability, 
Priced UNDER $100 including GUI and full suite of applications and 
development tools.

> I lamented Novell's status these days, and suggested that (especially
Novell blew it when they insisted on bundling UNIX with IPX and making 
TCP/IP a $400 add-on.  Worse, they didn't develop a sockets compatible 
IPX interface.  There are 1200 applications written for the Unix, X-11, 
TCP/IP, Sockets environment.  Univel could only run about 300 of them.

> given what Rex says about Linux) they should have Wordperfect develop the
> best "office suite software bundle" for Unix.  I'd get Linux for home use,
> but there's no way I can justify the cost for the equivalent of an office
> suite of software for a Unix-based microcomputer.  A "cheap" (relatively)
> software bundle packaged along with Linux could be pretty interesting.

When you see or read about the Linux operating system, there are two 
different catagories to be mentioned here.  The Operating System itself, 
with 200 basic "Curses and Command line" applications fits in about 6 meg 
and uses 2 meg of RAM.  The - "Linux on CD-Rom" package includes 600 
Megabytes of compressed applications including:
	X11R6 Windows (A few are still running R5)
	Hundreds of X11 Applications.
	Xview toolkit, applications, and window manager (Make your PC 
		look like a SUN)
	The Andrew Tool Kit including:
		Multimedia Editor (HTML, SGML, MIME,...).
		Multimedia Viewer(HTML, SGML, MIME).
		Multimedia E-Mail.
		Draw, Paint, Object (like visio) editor.
		Base Classes development kit (MFC-Like)
	GCC- a disgustingly portable C compiler, with libraries.
	30 programming languages, with utilities written in each.
	Tcl/TK/Wish (Turn any command into a GUI application)
	TCP/IP Clients and Servers including:
		NFS (C&S), X11 (C&S), Telnet (Optional Security features),
		Fire-Wall options.  Multi-user features.  Slip, PPP.
	Device drivers - VGA, SVGA, S3, Accelerators, Serial, SCSI, CD-ROM,
		Sound, Midi,Ethernet, Arcnet, Token Ring...

Then there's the stuff you can download off the net or buy.
	Motif (SWIM) $120-170
	WordPerfect  $100-150
	Lotus 1-2-3  $200-300
	Netscape	$35 (off the net)
	HTML 3.0 Browser (off the net)
	Web Servers, Clients and Proxy's.
	WAIS Servers, Wais Clients.
	TIA (PPP/Slip over X.25, Telnet,... - user privledges only)

Most also include databases (Ingres, Progres, Dbase IV clone), one vendor 
sells the database and gives away the rest.

How is this possible?  For 25 years, Unix users have been writing 
utilities and giving them to each other on the provisions of what is 
called the "General Public License Agreement".  If you write an 
application, and give me the source code (Unix runs on over 2000 hardware 
configurations, binaries are useless), I cannot enhance it or make bug 
fixes without giving those enhancments back to you.  I can give the 
binaries to other people, but I have to tell them where to get the source 
code (you don't want them calling YOU at 3:00 A.M. do you :-).

There are about 200 public archives world-wide who will manage and store 
source code contributed and distribute it to "Mirror" sites.  About 
once/month, enhancements are "frozen" and put onto a CD-ROM.  An original
CD-ROM from an official site runs about $400/month.  Distributors take 
this software and write "easy plug and play installation packages" that 
can make installation and upgrades very easy to install.  Anyone who has 
installed Windows 3.1 should be able to install most of these distributions.

The distributors issue new releases every 2-3 months, which include all 
of the upgrades to all of the applications as submitted by users, 
developers, and as approved by the application administrator.

If you start making money off of your "Workstation/Server", you can 
upgrade to a "Real Unix System", and you will get the same packages as 
"Unsupported Software" on the same "frequent updates" basis.  Sun, HP, 
DEC, IBM, and Apple all provide great support for "Unsupported 
Software".  Each also contributes $$$ to public archives (Sun actually 
runs it's own).  Each also provides supported versions with features such 
as internationionalization (Tu hablo espanol? - Chinese and Korean are 
really fun).

The Main "Drawback" of Linux is that it can take 10-20 seconds for an X 
application to start.  Once it has been initalized, it is very quick 
though.  I usually launch the application and read e-mail (or reply)
while I'm waiting.  Unlike MS-Windows, which takes over your screen and 
puts up the hour-glass (or the nifty horse on NT) while the application 
paints itself, X11 applications don't even display the frame until 
everything is ready to run at full service.

If you upgrade to a Sun or an HP?, you can still run the Linux 
Applications under the Sun/HP X11 interface.  In fact, a Linux server 
makes a nice addition to a standard UNIX shop too.  Just put it on the 
secretary's desk.

> Richard Layman, Mgr., Business Development, and Research Producer

	Rex Ballard


From rballard@cnj.digex.net Wed Apr 12 19:56:50 1995
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