#: 17771 S10/OS9/6809 (CoCo)
    19-Mar-93  20:52:44
Sb: Final Upgrade
Fm: Brother Jeremy, CSJW 76477,142
To: All

Dear Friends, The following is a forum message from Delphi, uploaded with
permission.


72719 12-MAR 23:08 General Information
     Level III: Are We Ready Yet?
     From: THETAURUS    To: ALL

    To say that OS9 Level II has matured since it's release from Tandy is an
understatement. Since it's release, the somewhat clumsy looking level II has
piece by piece been patched, rewritten, and hacked at, and now a few years
older, has really begun to let it's true potential shine with those
modifications that Tandy preferred not to pursue. Level II is now, quite a
slick system with those patches, new drivers and descriptors, and other
modifications installed. Not only is this true with Level II but with Color
Computer hardware itself. We have seen quite a few neat developments come down
the line since we entered the orphanage, too many to even list here. I know
this is old news to many of us so I should just make my point. As great an
improvement this has been there is a downside. The confusion and possible
incompatibilities involved with all those modifications that are available is a
major turn off, not only for any newcomers or novices in the community, but
even the system veterans tend to have problems keeping everything together. As
far as solving this problem, I think that Farna Systems 'PatchOS9' is a step in
the right direction, but in my opinion I think it's about time to move ahead
and decide on our OWN Level III. This is a long time to go without an upgrade
and since it is beyond unlikely that either Tandy or Microware would have any
part of such a process, it is about time we take this upon ourselves.  We have
a lot to work with, and with a little more work on some of the modules and
hardware, a good long thought out voting process, and working alongside other
online users from CIS,Fidonet, and the Internet, as well as offliners possibly
through the various OS9 magazines and newsletters, and also working with the
various vendors, this could very likely be done. What would make this better
than having it done by Tandy or Microware? WE WILL DECIDE what is best for our computer and Operating System as a
community. Since we are the ones who held it up for so long, and since we are
carrying it into the future, we undoubably know what is best better then
anyone. Why do I think this is necessary? Because it makes things much easier
and more flexible for both Programmers and End users without the hassle of
making a million different modifications just for a program to work with an
operating system that has many different versions. Programmers are unwilling to
go through all this, and no one can blame them.

    How will we go about doing this legally? It will be simple actually. At
least if my idea works out. Once Level III is finally decided on, it would be distributed on a
similar disk such as the 'PatchOS9' disk I previously mentioned. Hopefully one
or more of the vendors would offer the service of installing these patches once
the user sends his original master disk. The disk would contain all the patches
and Modifications that would be installed on the original LEVEL II two disk.
And the result would be LEVEL III. Then people advertising their programs could
simply say 'Level III' required. I would like to know how you all think we
should go at this? I think my ideas are valid and the 'PatchOS9'd disk brings
us very close. The only thing we would need to do is finish making whatever
modifications we feel are still necessary,try and get as much
of that unofficial upgrade that hasn't been released yet as possible, and then
decide on the hardware standards. I think now is a good time to start this
subject as we have waited to long. It is time to end the confusion and
obstacles of sticking to a system this old.

    I am glad I brought this up now, since recently we have begun once again
talking about the feasibility of deciding on a Standards Committee. Such a
committee would prove VERY instrumental in this process. We do need an official
group to look up to, since at this time it really seems like we have only
ourselves to pat on the backs and someone in a leadership position, maybe
thru the voting process would help boost moral activityChris<


Chris asked me to upload this wherever I could. Please feel free to post this
on any BBS or Pay-Systems you care to. Whether or not any of the folks who
worked on the ill-fated Upgrade will be able or willing to participate is
unknown at this time. There is talk of people contributing to fund to bring out
that upgrade. (A couple of $100.00 pledged so far) I will be glad to echo any
replies back to Chris on Delphi.

With all best wishes,

Br. Jeremy, CSJW