> loaded with features it'd take months to explore them all.  OK, maybe that's
> a lame excuse, but it's all I've got!
> 
> Anyway, I haven't actually tried the Java stuff yet, or the VoiceType stuff,
> or the OpenGL.  So don't ask me how well they work yet.  I'll probably get
> around to them sooner or later.
> 
>                           Glitches and Complaints
> 
> Merlin's not perfect, and this is a good opportunity for me to share some
> info (and vent some frustration) over its warts.  For the most part,
> these are of the "minor but annoying" variety.  Listed here, in no
> particular order:
> 
>  * When you rename a file or folder from the Tree View of a drive object,
> sometimes the shell forgets what you're doing and changes the name back to
> its previous setting.
> 
>  * Objects sometimes start minimized, for no particular reason.  You can
> bring them up by repeating whatever you did to start them, or from the
> Window List, etc.
> 
>  * I had trouble getting remote printing to work over TCP/IP, and this is
> considered to be an issue outside the realm covered by the tech support you
> get free from IBM.
> 
>  * Instability: While Merlin is generally very stable, there's one thing
> that crashes the WPS pretty repeatably, at least on my system: Try adjusting
> the volume with the Volume Control while playing a video clip.  I suspect
> that this may be due to the 1994-vintage PAS-16 audio driver, but it might
> be a problem with MMOS2 or the WPS itself.  I'd like to hear from other
> users whether their systems have this problem.  If they don't, I'll probably
> ditch this crummy PAS in favor of an SB32 or some such.  Media Vision's
> support of OS/2 is basically nonexistent nowadays, and it shows.  I think
> their driver leaks memory too, BTW.  Blech!
> 
>                                  Conclusion
> 
> Hey, you must be seriously interested in Merlin if you've stayed with me all
> this way!  So, should you plunk down your $110 - $220 for it?  I have some
> advice for you...
> 
> If you're running an older version of OS/2 and have the hardware to run
> Merlin (see above), I'd say "Go for it!".  But be prudent and keep a
> backup copy of your previous OS in case you need to retreat.
> 
> If you're running Windows 3.1(1) and don't rely on any apps that use VxDs,
> and are tired of the ugly, primitive Windows shell and the pitiful OS under
> it, and you have the hardware to run Merlin, I'd say "Go for
it!".  You can
> set Merlin up with Dual Boot or, better, the Boot Manager so you can escape
> back to your old environment easily in case you have to for some reason.
> 
> If you're running Win95 and want something with a solider foundation (read:
> real, reliable multitasking and a real OO user interface), or you want to
> give VoiceType a shot, you should consider Merlin carefully.  Remember that
> while you can't use Win32 apps in Merlin, you *can* set up a multi-OS
> configuration and pick your OS at boot time.  And you may find that
> there are equivalent or better OS/2 apps for your needs.  Your other natural
> OS choices would be NT or Linux, which have different sets of strengths and
> weaknesses than Merlin.
> 
> If you're running a PC with less than 16 megs of memory and aren't
> willing or able to upgrade, you probably shouldn't consider Merlin.  If you
> want OS/2 power, look to Warp 3 instead.  It'll probably be available cheap
> if you look around a bit.
> 
> If you're running a Mac and would like to try a PC, Merlin may be your
> natural choice.  It's got an interface which can be described as a less
> friendly but more powerful version of the MacOS.  There are command windows,
> but you generally won't need to use them unless you want to (and they *are*
> more convenient than a GUI for certain tasks).  And you can run DOS and
> Windows programs much more efficiently than a Mac does, without having to
> admit you've bought a DOS or Windows machine.  Just watch out for the
> Shredder - it actually deletes stuff, unlike the Mac's Trashcan.  (If you
> want a Trashcan, you can download a shareware one.)
> 
> That's it.  Thanks for reading this, and best luck to you all.
> 
>         Chris
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Chris Koresko
> Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
> Caltech
> Pasadena, California 91125

This post never made it to this group! N'er mind, here it is for the 
benefit of interested parties.

regards

zoltian{at}ibm.net

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