Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!sugar!peter
From: peter@sugar.hackercorp.com (Peter da Silva)
Subject: Re: 8-bit death
Message-ID: <1991May5.024025.19463@sugar.hackercorp.com>
Organization: Sugar Land Unix -- Houston, TX
References: <1991May2.013735.6365@kessner.denver.co.us> <1991May2.105802.26053@sugar.hackercorp.com> <1991May3.043704.10066@kessner.denver.co.us>
Date: Sun, 5 May 1991 02:40:25 GMT

In article <1991May3.043704.10066@kessner.denver.co.us> david@kessner.denver.co.us (David Kessner) writes:
> So, using your definitions for 8, 16, and 32 bit OS's (not quoted here), why
> should we use 'bits' as the unit of measurement--

Don't ask me. I didn't start it.

> Perhapse another term should be 'generation', 'level', etc.

I myself prefer dividing things between:

	"monitor" ROM resident, usually loads programs from tape. Provides
		the services of simple I/O, execution control.

	"program loader" loaded from disk (usually), provides a file system,
		program loading, execution control, simple I/O.

	"operating system" adds real device drivers and device independence,
		memory and CPU time management.

	"protected O/S" adds resource tracking and protection.

	"multiuser O/S" adds privileged programs of some sort, permissions,
		etc.

	"VM O/S" adds virtual memory to one of the above.

DOS doesn't even qualify as an O/S to me. Neither does Mac OS, or any PC
system software prior to the Amiga.

> Why don't _YOU_ check your facts.  I have programmed a PDP-11/23 and a 
> MicroPDP-11/something, both running _Ultrix_.  And I mean Ultrix.  It says
> Ultrix when it boots, on the manuals, on the order forms, and many other
> places.  C'mon, give me a break!

Yes, I've been told that DEC sold V7 under that name.
-- 
Peter da Silva.   `-_-'
<peter@sugar.hackercorp.com>.
