simple (?) xenix 286 questions

[Steve Dyer]

In article <1826 at spdcc.COM>, eli at spdcc.COM (Steve Elias) writes:
> what is the minimum amount of memory a 286 PC must have in order to
> run xenix 286?  will things run at all with 640k or 1M?
 
The more the better.  1mb would be tight but possible.  1.5, 2 or 3mb
is better.

> does xenix 286 run in protected mode all the time?
 
Yes.  Everything runs in protected mode (once you get beyond the boot.)

> what amounts of swap space can be specified?
 
You will be prompted for this.  A suggestion is made based on your
disk and memory size.

> what is the swap block size -- is this configurable, too?
 
Huh?

> is it worth $595 ??  what about Microport?

XENIX 286 is a great 286 port; it's robust and well supported.  You
should remember that $595 only gets you the runtime system; a full
blown system with development tools and text processing runs about
$1200, but SCO offers developers discounts if you make that clear
when you order it.

However, Steve, a 286 is really only suitable for endusers running
canned programs (and presumably developers who cater to them.)
For example, I know lots of folks using XENIX 286 machines running
WP and data base systems who would never touch a C compiler: they
are as happy as clams.  It's hell for anyone used to large-address-space
machines.  Get a 386 system and run some flavor of UNIX on it, whether
it be XENIX 386, Bell Tech UNIX or ISC's 386/ix.  I'm partial to XENIX 386,
since I have the most experience with it, but the others are OK, too.
-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer at harvard.harvard.edu
dyer at spdcc.COM aka {harvard,husc6,linus,ima,bbn,m2c,mipseast}!spdcc!dyer