Hi Sean,

On 05-Oct-99, Sean Dennis wrote to Murray Lesser:

 SD>>> Besides, all of those computers you mentioned are based on old
 >>> chips.  OS/2 is based on the x86 set... as long as there's a x86
 >>> system around, it will run OS/2.

 ML>> I wish that people who try to quote history in this echo knew
 ML>> what they were talking about :-(.  No version of OS/2 would run
 ML>> on an 8086 or 80186 (practically nothing ran on the short-lived
 ML>> 80186).  Only OS/2 versions 1.x would run on an 80286, but not on
 ML>> any earlier x86. OS/2 versions 2.x and 3.0 would run on an 80386,
 ML>> but not on any earlier x86. Warp 4 and later require (as a
 ML>> minimum) an 80486.

 SD> OK, how many people you know that have a 80186?  I know my

Me! :-)
They are the CPU on intelligent comms cards I use.
The 80186 was specifically targeted at embedded systems. The
integrated peripherals are not generally suitable for the standard PC
architecture so you'll rarely find it except in embedded systems.

 SD> history.  I'd think that most people in this echo would know I was
 SD> talking about a 386 and above. Maybe next time I say something,
 SD> I'll break everything down to the lowest common denominator for
 SD> people like you who assume that I don't know what I'm talking

No need to go that far, but there are people around who, while they
know current versions of OS/2 require a 386 or better, don't realise
OS/2 1.x (x = 0 to 2) was written primarily by MS and required an
80286. OS/2 1.3 was primarily IBMs responsibility and was the most
stable of the 1.x versions.

 SD> about.  I've been involved with computers well over half my life
 SD> (and I'm only 27).  I know that OS/2 won't run on a 8086 or 80186.

However, that is still a short experience with them compared with some
of us here. I first learnt programming (in Algol) before you were born,
and started designing microprocessor hardware and programming it while
you were in junior grades, and there are quite a few with much longer
experience than mine in the echo.

 SD>  Please.  Don't insult me like that

You are taking insult where none was intended, there is no easy way
for us to judge your computer experience.

George

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