Nancy Backus (1:323/120) wrote to Steven Horn at 08:55 on 14 Nov 2004:

 NB> Not really.  The minimal "multitasking" I've needed to do, I can do
 NB> with a drop or shell out to DOS to go check something or to do
 NB> something.  Years ago, when I was using a 2400 modem, I'd multitask
 NB> by using a laptop to read messages while I was spending hours
 NB> downloading the next packet....    But that's not an issue any
 NB> more... :)  I'm not a sysop, so don't have a bbs running in the
 NB> background, for example.  I don't have programs running in the
 NB> background while I have to do something else... well, ok, if it's a
 NB> long download, I might leave the room and go get something from
 NB> downstairs... but that wasn't what you were talking about... ;)

How much multitasking one may do will depend on the use one makes of one's PC.
My PC (Dell Dimension 4100 with 512 Mb RAM and a Celeron 1.4 Ghz processor)
runs a software firewall (ZoneAlarm Pro), a full-time virus checker (Norton
AV), and a full-time malware filter (Webroot Spy Sweeper), plus a few
utilities such as Google Desktop Search on boot up.  Although I'm no longer
a Fidonet NC, I also have Irex running 24/7 so I can receive my Fidonet
mail whenever my mail hub sends it.

When I add my email program (Outlook 2003) and my radio station (Windows
Media Player) to this mix, I have something around 72 processes running and
have used about 65% of my real and virtual memory (770 Mb of 1.3Gb). 
However, Windows 2000 SP4 on my Dell handles all this with aplomb and the
system hasn't crashed in several months.

Not everyone will want to carry this much overhead on their machine but
it's nice to be able to do it.  An obvious alternative would be to use a
separate machine for the DOS/Fidonet world but I would have a lot more
trouble finding room for another PC than I would finding some additional
space for my Zip drive or scanner in my study.  As it is, my wife's PC is
already connected to mine via ethernet and router and a laptop is soon to
follow.                              
Take care,

Steven Horn (steven.horn{at}gmail.com)
Moderator, ALASKA_CHAT 
--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+