Apresby.148
net.micro
utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ihnss!houxi!npois!harpo!presby!aron
Mon Feb 8 21:12:06 1982
Unix for the TRS-80 16
Well, here's what I could find out so far.
There are alot of people coming out with bundled hardware/software
systems involving 68000's and Unix. Among these are WICAT, MicroDaSys,
Dual and Fortune. It seems every week that there is an article in
INFOWORLD announcing a new system of this sort. In fact, in this
weeks INFOWORLD there is an article on Unix and 16 bit micros. Most
of the above companies have full page adds in this months BYTE.
The problem, however, for the 16, is that these systems are bundled.
The hardware and software come together. Most of these companies
are getting Unix from two places (on an OEM basis): UNISOFT in
Berkeley, CA and Microsoft in Bellevue, WA.
UNISOFT is currently V7 but will soon be Version III (or whatever
WE calls its latest concoction). Even nicer, UNISOFT includes
the Berkeley Unix enhancements. MICROSOFT is also V7 and I believe
will also soon be III, but does not include Berkeley stuff, although
it does have "internals" enhancements of its own.
Neither MICROSOFT nor UNISOFT is interested in selling single user
copies. They'll only talk to you if you are an OEM. On the other
hand, the OEM's will only sell you Unix for a 68000 inside their
own hardware. According to the INFOWORLD article, the new WE
licensing arrangement will allow resale prices of $40 a copy for
dealers who've shelled out the $45,000 for the source-code license.
At those prices its understandable that dealers are relunctant to
sell Unix without the hardware. There's no profit in it!
Anyway, unless someone out there has alot of money and time, and
is willing to become a TANDY and UNISOFT(or MICROSOFT) OEM, or
unless TANDY pleasantly surprises me, it may be a while before
we see Unix on the TRS-80 16.
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