Merge vs. VP/ix <was: The purpose of this group...>

[Ray Shwake]

peter at ficc.ferranti.com (Peter da Silva) writes:

>I'll take merge over VPix any time. It's much better integrated with
>UNIX and easier to install and administer. Putting all that hackery in
>the kernel doesn't jibe with my conception of "understanding UNIX".

But Merge mucks with the kernel too! Interestingly, my ODT UNIX kernel
grew more when I installed Merge than my ISC UNIX or SCO Xenix kernels
grew after I installed VP/ix. For what it's worth...

As to their respective qualities, I like the fact that under Merge one
CAN access a bidirectional serial port, but performance leaves much to 
be desired. Running ProComm Plus out a Telebit runs like my old Atari
300 baud modem! I also don't like having to specify serial port access
before entering Merge.