Re: New PC - What MS OS?

[Larry Bolhuis <lbolhui@xxxxxxx>]

OK That's it, someone dropped the OS/2 hat so here goes:

I just bought an IBM thinkpad with NT installed. (Logic basically the same as
going on in this thread-> NT better than 95/98).

Wanna guess what OS I'm running on it?  Yup OS/2!  OK, so it may not support
every piece of hardware out there but on my Thinkpad it supports every single
feature!  PLUS:  1) The modem doesn't work under NT, IBM Has not gotten me an
answer on that yet, it works fine on OS/2. 2) You can't put NT 'to sleep'
(suspend mode) and expect it to work correctly when it resumes. 3) You can't
power off the PC-cards because 'it could make the OS unstable'.  4) You can't
remove PC-cards because 'it could make the OS unstable'.  5) In OS/2 you can run
a simple .CMD file that sets up your IP Address and routes, name servers etc in
about 5 seconds. You can run this any time and the changes are IMMEDIATE. In NT
you gotta go through the gooey and not everything is changeable without a
ReBoot.  6) NT Does not support hot swapping the CD-Rom/backup battery/floppy in
the Ultrabay. (You know it makes the OS Unstable!) OS/2 does.  Plus OS/2
includes an LPD server, FTP Server, TFTP server, SMTP Mail server, fax package,
terminal emulation, Internet dialer, and more.  For NT I gotta go get half of
those.

So I can't run the newest versions of MS Apps. Boo Hoo. I have the latest
Smartsuite from lotus for OS/2 and it works better anyway.

OK So I admit that OS/2 is 'functionally stable' but I like stability, that's
why I use OS/400!

Soapbox *Off

 - Larry

James W Kilgore wrote:
> 
> Jeff,
> 
> IMHO, NT is preferred, but there is a cost.
> 
> Certain hardware will not work under NT.  There is a hardware
> compatibility list available on the net.  This is a factor in the cost
> of switching.  Remember NT is OS/2 (with a new face).  OS/2 is picky,
> therefore NT is picky.
> 
> For those that do not believe that NT is OS/2, check your directory.
> You will find OS2.exe and you can read/write 2.88mb diskettes.  Before
> everyone gets their jets all fired up, NT does run under it's own kernel
> but whenever an OS/2 function is required, it gracefully punts the the
> OS that can actually do the job.
> 
> The upside to 95/98 would be products like Cybermedia First Aid that
> fixes a 95 Reg file.  Not available under NT AFAIK.  NT does not come
> with a defrag, but search for Diskeeper Lite and you can find a low
> priced add-on.
> 
> NT can deal with multiple NIC's and IP address' if that matters to you.
> Win 95/98 don't AFAIK.
> 
> As far as 16 bit 95 applications like Word Perfect, load Win 95/98, load
> Word Perfect, load NT over Win 95/98 and it will run.  NT will not let
> it install.  You must have the disk FAT16.  Now this is an old rule and
> it may not apply for Win98 to NT but did for Win95 to NT.
> 
> Now for you Roger:
> 
> Roger Pence wrote:
> >
> 
> > Here are other drawbacks that quickly come to mind...
> >
> > 3. Iffy twinax connectivity. NT won't recognize many twinax cards (or any
> > other hardware-dependent cards).
> 
> I've found this to be true of 16bit ISA cards, especially with sound
> cards that want to grab the available IRQ.  Stealth cards may not create
> this problem.  Pulling sound cards and modems to get a twinax card to
> work has become standard routine for us.
> 
> > 4. No plug and play support (which, although maligned for Win9x has saved me
> > lots of time and grief)
> 
> My brother-in-law is the data center admin for a local CC and he calls
> it "plug and pray". ;-)
> 
> > 5. Memory! Win9X reaches diminishing returns past 64MB, not NT. With NT, get
> > 128MB!
> 
> True, for some reason you will actually degrade a Win95 box if you have
> more than 64k.  For NT, the more the better.  OS/2 will run is 32mb a
> whole lot better than NT.  IMHO, 64k for NT is a start point.
> 
> > 6. No disk defrag included--get one and use it
> 
> I've used Diskeeper Lite and to tell you the truth, it runs defrag every
> month so I can't tell if I've had an improvement because I've never had
> a slowdown.  But I feel better knowing it's been done.  Now this is on
> the workstation, not the server.  On the server side, if it fragments
> enough that you can actually measure the response and run a trial
> Diskeeper and actually measure the improvement it may be beneficial
> beyond personal satisfaction of having run a useless MS required task
> that no other OS requires.
> 
> > 7. Spotty app compability. Generally apps work across platforms, but
> > sometimes there is still a stickler. Lotus ScreenCam was my latest headache
> > (Adobe Type Manager before that)
> 
> Curious, are these 16bit apps?  Haven't used either myself.
> 
> > 8. OS cost. For one workstation, the upgrade isn't a big deal. For lots,
> > though, bring your fat checkbook.
> 
> Now Roger, don't quibble about acquisition cost vs cost of ownership.
> Isn't that the popular arguement of an AS/400 over an NT box? ;-)  But
> let's face it, it's easier to tell a committee that it's only $200 each
> vs saying it's $20k, one time, for all of them.
> >
> > One other thought, MS has backed off its NT-on-the-desktop strategy. There
> > is a wave of discontent building for very fat desktops and MS has seen the
> > light. Don't be bullied into thinking Win9X goes away anytime soon).
> >
> > Having said all that, if you can live within its constraints, I agree with
> > Bob that NT is the way to go.
> 
> I believe that MS has made it clear that 95/98 is a consumer product and
> NT is a commercial product.  IMHO, pick accordingly.
> 
> James W. Kilgore
> email@James-W-Kilgore.com
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-- 
Larry Bolhuis         |
Arbor Solutions, Inc  | Two rules to success in life:
(616) 451-2500        | 1. Never tell people everything you know.
lbolhui@ibm.net       |

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