Xenix vs. Unix?

Willy Paine paine at rust.dec.com
Fri Sep 8 07:55:33 AEST 1989


I have read many message about Xenix vs. Unix?  I used to run Xenix/386
and I have installed many Xenix and some 386/ix.  I am very happy with
386/ix, even I spend alot of time waiting and patience getting tech
support.  I am totally deaf so I have to find someone to call in voice,
get FAX number or email.  Without using voice phone calls, Interactive
Tech Support is much better than SCO while SCO might be better if there
is voice phone.  I am told that SCO will refuse to help you unless you
pay 75 dollars for tech support.   

I find that getting the latest version of drivers are from third party
or hardware manufacturer NOT from SCO or Interactive because some of
driver are already out of date.  I had alot of trouble with Wyse
multi-port board installing in Xenix/386 last year and I found out that
driver that comes with SCO is for Xenix/AT NOT 386!!!  SCO could not
keep track of drivers at all so it is better to call 3rd party.  I got
drivers from Archive Tape and Digiboard for my 386/xi without any cost
at all.  They are more friendily than either SCO or Interactive.  

I have heard that several are switching to SCO from 386/ix, just because
there is more drivers but SCO will not make the system easier.  I have
consulted many Unix rookies and I do find that their expectation are
very high that SCO's drivers would be just as easy as to install MS-DOS
but it is not true at all.  They don't even know that they are getting
better support from third party than SCO or Interactive.  I am not Unix
Wizard (I am not qualified to post comp.unix.wizard <grin>) but I have
over seven years of Unix experience (mostly large system) and getting
hardware to work is my NO. 1 headache.   I have told unix rookies that 
they should be prepared for several months on installing any unix machine 
before it becomes stable.  Making regular backup is very important and 
I do both tape and floppy disk backup!!

Also beware that you should not buy any used or old hardwares like tape
drives because the chance on getting driver is not so good.  This
applies both in both SCO and 386/ix.  Recently I tried to install old
DigiBoard in 386/xi and tech support does not have one for either newest
system at all.

I have no comments on choosing SCO or 386/ix but each has its own
advantage.  SCO has more formal support while 386/ix (System V) is 
easier to accept public domains program than SCO.  This is my own opinion.

Have fun with Un*x....

willy


uunet!apex!nwnexus!seaeast!willyp   or   willyp at seaeast.wa.com

p.s.  I am speaking for my own hobby not for corporation......



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