IBM announces UNIX for VM

[Phil Ngai]

> 4) how about amdahl?  their UTS system has been around for a while but
> hasn't taken off in popularity as it could easily have.  with the system 5
> port just announced, they are once again in direct competition with IBM
> for operating systems for /370 and 370-XA machines.
> 
> Herb Chong, BASc

Aside from the problem of applications (not a small problem) the issue
of full duplex I/O (ie vi and such) isn't addressed by Amdahl in a way
that I would like. IX/370 can use a relatively inexpensive Series 1
to support 32 full duplex lines at 9600 baud. If you need 64 lines,
spend another $40K and get another 32 lines. Amdahl's solution to
full duplex is 3 to 4 times as expensive and their salesman keeps wanting
me to run 4800 baud. In addition I don't think Amdahl appreciates how
hard it is for us to buy non IBM hardware, especially something Japanese
like the 4705. (Japan is a real sore point at my company)

It's too bad because I would favor Amdahl for several reasons:

1) mature product compared with IBM's
2) source available
3) pascal
4) none of this Interactive "let's be different to be different"
software like Ined, Inmail, etc.

This is just my perception of the situation and not an official
company statement.
-- 
 This is my opinion, I guess.

 Phil Ngai (408) 749-5720
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