#: 6530 S12/OS9/68000 (OSK)
    05-Sep-90  16:09:31
Sb: #6478-#PT68-K4
Fm: Jack Crenshaw 72325,1327
To: Kevin Darling (UG Pres) 76703,4227 (X)

Glad you liked the info, Kevin.  Re the keybd/gfx interface, I don't know
enough yet about how they're handled by OS-9, but it seems that they're
definitely not treated as a glass TTY.  The system comes up with an impressive
looking semi-graphics screen, so I'm sure they're at least doing cursor control
codes.

As it turns out, I ended up with the OS-9 disks by mistake, and so they're
basically bootlegged.  Peripheral Technology has been giving $300 tradein
allowances on the older boards (how many companies have you seen that would do
that??), and so what they did was send updated versions of all the software. 
They didn't know that I didn't have OS-9 before, so it was just a simple
screw-up.

I never wanted OS-9, in spite of its reputation, because it always seemed a bit
overpriced to me.  Spending $400 for the CPU and $600 for the OS never seemed
to make much sense.  Also, the early versions for the PT-68 didn't use the
KB/CRT at all, but required a separate terminal, which defeats the whole
purpose.

But OS-9 is now listing for $299, and this new version seems very well
integrated, and booted right up.  So I called PT yesterday and got them to bill
me for the system to make me legal, and send the manuals.  Looks like I'll soon
be OS-9'ing for real.  I guess I'm glad they made the mistake, or I'd never
have considered it.

It turns out I could end up with no less than _SIX_ OS's:  SK*DOS, OS-9,
CP/M-68K, K-OS, Minix, and the one I'm writing.  Something for everyone! Let's
see the PC guys top that!

Jack



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