INFORMATION on Unix Systems !!

[Ron Natalie]

: Question #1:
:   Is 'Unix World' the only magazine available for the Unix
:   Operating System?

There is Unix Review, also.  Unix Review tries harder.  I am convinced
that there is no editorial staff whatsoever at UNIX/WORLD.  The articles
are poor, selected from a bunch submitted from upstart hackers with no
verification of accuracy.  I have limitted my reading to Lauren's back
page column.  The free copy given to me at the last UNIFORVM was so full
of crocked articles I had to laugh.

: Question #2:
:   What microcomputers have 4.2BSD Unix available on them?
:   How much do they cost (range)?  Where are they available?

Any number of processors, typically starting at around $10,000
though.  The Symetric portable and the Integrated Solutions Optimum
come to mind.  There may be a 4.2 port to one of the 68000 or 32032
cards for the PC that might be cheaper, but I am currently unaware
of any.

: Question #3:
:   What kind of networking capabilities do these computers have?
:   I need a computer that can handle five or six users simulta-
:   neously.

Almost everyone who has 4.2 have stuck an ethernet card in them.
If not, various companies such as Excelan, CMC, and SCOPE have
introduced cards that do the TCP/IP on the card.  These are fairly
easy to introduce as an extra device into the UNIX system.

: Question #4:
:   Is the Operating System usually packaged with the comp-
:   uter or does it have to be purchased separately from
:   other sources?

Most companies who will run UNIX will sell it.  Even IBM.

: Question #5:
:   What does the Unix 4.2BSD Operating System come with as
:   standard software (i.e. such things as 'vi', 'troff',
:   'ingres'?)?

My ISI came with most everything including learn, pascal, lisp, etc.
Vi and troff are there, but no ingress.  Possibly this is because there
is not enough room on the disk.  When delivered I only had about 10,000
Kbyes left on the disk.  I think Learn and PASCAL will go.

: Question #6:
:   What kind of software is commercially available for Unix
:   4.2BSD (i.e. word processing (not 'troff' or 'nroff'),
:   database, spreadsheet, etc.)?

Getting better each day.  20/20 is one package that comes to mind.
Check the literature (the ads that is, see item #1).

: Question #7:
:   I know of only one company porting 4.2BSD onto micros which
:   is Unisoft.  Is this true?  If there are others, what exper-
:   ience have people had (or heard from others) with these?

Unisoft seems to spend a lot of time hacking System V these days.
The manufacturers usually hire a couple of UNIX smoking dope gurus
to do the port themselves.


-Ron