#: 19508 S15/Hot Topics
20-Dec-93 17:25:19
Sb: GWINDOWS for MM/1
Fm: Ed Gresick 76576,3312
To: ALL
Frank Hogg in his message #19504 made several statements which require
clarification and correction.
Frank Hogg didn't have to call Steve Adams to find out what changes had
occurred to G-WINDOWS. He need only read the current edition of the
'edition.h' file provided by Steve. All changes to G-WINDOWS are listed
there. Also, Steve lists to whom and when he has sent updated versions.
DELMAR CO is listed twice.
First, his conversation with Steve Adams wherein he claims Steve stated the
only changes to G-WINDOWS involved -
> 1) The Japanese version
> 2) Ultra C use
> 3) GView
> 4) OS9000.
> There is no significant difference between 37 and 51 other than those.
I wasn't privy to the conversation nor, apparantly, was anyone else. But
I doubt Steve Adams made the above statements as claimed.
One need only look at the 'edition.h' file provided with G-WINDOWS. I
include a copy with all copies of G-WINDOWS I sell. From edition 37
through edition 50, there were over 200 changes. While many of these did
deal the Kanji version, OS-9000 and some with Ultra C and GView, there are
many others that deal directly with G-WINDOWS. To illustrate just a few of
the changes since edition 37 -
Change to WFM (the window file manager) - 'changed so CLUT is correctly set-up
before background color in window is drawn when a window is made visible or
moved to the top of the window stack.'
Change to DESKTOP - 'Fixed bug that wrongly identified text files as shell
scripts.'
Change to WFM - 'Fixed task queuing mechanixm so high priority processes
don't lock low priority processes on fast CPUs.' (I don't know if the
68340 qualifies as a fast cpu.)
Change to WFM - 'Fixed bug in "Window_Get(W_RawScreenData)" function which
would inadvertantly change contents of the BOX parameter.'
Change to WFM - 'Added a cache flush so WFM would work with copy-back cache.'
Added utility - 'editframe' - a frame editor for G-WINDOWS.
The utility is especially important to hardware with limited resolution
capabilities such as the KIX/MGA board and the MM/1. It permits reducing
the width of the window border permitting a larger window area.
There are other changes pertinent to G-WINDOWS including the use of many
environment variables.
'edition.h' is solely the product of Steve Adams and all changes listed
therein are his including the ones I extracted above. Hence, I question
the veracity of Frank Hogg's report of his conversation. I will post a copy
of the latest 'edition.h' I have in the library.
I don't mean to imply G-WINDOWS is buggy. It isn't. But no one has yet
to write the perfect code. As Steve Adams finds or is made aware of
problems, he resolves them immediately. To my knowledge and experience,
none of the 'bugs' will result in crashing G-WINDOWS. G-WINDOWS will simply
ignore the error or respond with an appropriate error message. This is also
true when you try to run certain software written under later versions of
G-WINDOWS but run under earlier versions. Further, Steve has been adding
enhancements to G-WINDOWS.
Frank Hogg reports the following statement from Steve Adams -
> As far as I know there is no changes to the drivers required to update to
> newer versions of GWINDOWS from #37 on.
It is true that a driver written under edition 37 will work under edition
#50. Since certain library functions may've been changed and/or added, the
driver should be re-compiled with the new library/header files to insure these
are picked up. In fact, this was neccesary for the 2 releases I received.
Sometimes Steve includes suggestions on new algorithms to perform some of the
functions in the driver. I'm learning others. A new release is a good time
to review the driver code to insure everything is optimized and is wholly
consistent with the other modules comprising G-WINDOWS.
A new release is not because of the driver. The Window File Manager (WFM),
Desktop and a whole host of related programs and utilities may be updated.
These updates come from Steve Adams. An update is really a whole new
G-WINDOWS package and DELMAR CO distributes them as such.
I suppose it's a matter of how we perceive our responsibility to our
customers. My preference is to provide the best and latest I can to my
customers.
The following dialogue is most interesting -
> FH: What about ControlCalc? And how much does it cost?
> SA: ControlCalc may be the only difference. It may
> require a newer edition. I don't know the cost for sure
> but I think it's $6,000.
> FH: Well if it costs that much then it is not an issue here. ...
The statement 'it is not an issue here' is presumptuous. Following FHL's
reasoning would preclude the MM/1 or MM/1A being considered as a platform
for ControlCalc and perhaps other programs which might be developed and
released in the future. I don't believe the distributor of a package of
this type should pre-judge the market for other hardware.
More info on ControlCalc and G-WINDOWS. It is true that the Developer's
version of ControlCalc costs $6000.00. But the Run-Time is only $995.00.
ControlCalc uses G-VIEW. Also a very expensive package (but included in the
price of the Developer's version of ControlCalc). It is G-VIEW that is
sensitive to the version of G-WINDOWS being used. I don't think we can expect
the average G-WINDOWS user to purchase G-VIEW, but a demo version of G-VIEW
is included with G-WINDOWS. Except for the size of the source code it can
process, it is a full-fledged, working version. (I think it's limited to
about 100 lines of source code.) I am aware of one programmer who is using
this version of G-VIEW and will be including the gadgets, etc. generated in
his software. There is no reason other programmers can't take advantage of
the demo version of G-VIEW as well. Will a user with an older version of
G-WINDOWS be able to run his software? I think it really will depend on
what the programmer has done but I don't see why anyone should take chances.
> ... Delmars comments annoyed me and I have decided to pursue this.
Since Frank Hogg credits my comments with causing him to withdraw his offer
of an obselete and unsupported version of G-WINDOWS, I feel my efforts were
worth while.
In message #19505, Frank Hogg is now offering a current, supported version
of G-WINDOWS. Fine - I have no problem with that _if_ he follows through
and is committed to continued and ongoing support. But I think the OSK
community might feel more comfortable had he pursued this course of action
originally without being 'annoyed' by me. His own statement creates doubts
as to his motivation.
Judging by his past actions, he does not seem interested in providing up-to-
date products. In fact, he appears obsessed rationilizing his failure to
provide current software. The TC70 was delivered with Version 2.3 of OSK and,
according to the best information I've been able to get, he is still providing
Version 2.3 OSK with his KIX series of computers. I believe all other
providers of OSK hardware have long ago switched to Version 2.4. It would
appear that his MGA board is being shipped with edition 37 of G-WINDOWS.
So, does he demonstrate a history of providing up-dated products and support?
Before making a decision, you may wish to consider the following factors -
Several TC70 customers purchased G-WINDOWS from FHL. What kind of support
have they received including upgrades?
What version of G-WINDOWS is being shipped for the KIX/MGA? What support
are these customers receiving?
Since Ray Tremblay is an independent agent, what is his long term commit-
ment for support and upgrades. What will Frank Hogg do in the event Ray,
for whatever reason, is unable or unwilling to continue his support?
Can you call Frank Hogg most any time and get support? Is he knowledgeable
about G-WINDOWS? The developer's pak? G-VIEW?
What documentation is included? In addition to the official documentation
for G-WINDOWS, DELMAR includes a comprehensive tutorial to assist new users
get started using G-WINDOWS.
Because of the commitments already made, I will continue my offer and permit
the market to decide who is capable of best serving them. Those who have
placed orders with me and wish to cancel certainly may do so. Just let me
know.
Ed Gresick
DELMAR CO
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