🚀 go-pugleaf

Rainbow EchoMail Digest                         Jul  9, 1990

In this issue:
  VR-241 COLOR MONITORS
  RE: BACKUP SOFTWARE FOR R
  RE: CACHE PROGRAM
  IDRIVE "SECRET"                (2 messages)


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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:     07-07-90 (15:19)
To:       ALL
Subject:  VR-241 COLOR MONITORS
From:     AMER NELSON

Last weekend the U. of Washington auctioned off three Pro 350s with
three (apparently working) VR-241s.  Couldn't see bidding more than
$150 for the package since I didn't know of ANYONE at that time who
might be interested in the color monitors.  Someone else -- identity
unknown -- got the whole ball of wax for around $225.  People, make
your needs known and SOMEONE may go out on a limb to pick up used
equipment.
 ++ Amer ++


- --- Opus-CBCS 1.12
 * Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431
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Date:     07-05-90 (01:30)
To:       GEOFF REED
Subject:  RE: BACKUP SOFTWARE FOR R
From:     CARL HOUSEMAN

re: if I had bothered to read Gary's entire message ... etc. etc.

 I think I did read Gary's entire message.  I view his admonition to
someone else - not to distribute, talk about, or otherwise mention a
piece of software, whether it's internal-DEC-use or not - as needless
and unwelcome nagging.  Perhaps the person he was addressing didn't
see it as nagging, but I for one would like to know what DEC is still
keeping to themselves for whatever-their-tangled-reasons are.

 re: there are people who would file lawsuits if a piece of software
     damaged their equipment ....

 That's right, and some of them could file lawsuits against ME if I
hadn't included a disclaimer with the Rainbow software I'VE written.
Now explain to me why DEC can't release such software with a similar,
100% legally approved disclaimer.

 re: since it's internal DEC and was never released to the public
     domain, distributing it IS SOFTWARE PIRACY, and are you
     advocating piracy, sir?

 It may come as a surprise to you that I'm probably the staunchest
advocate of "pay for the software you use" at the company where I
work.  That goes for big-name software and shareware alike.  I'm a
programmer, and regardless of the opinions, I view using something
without paying for it as taking the bread out of some programmer's
mouth.

 Now here's the catch.  I would LOVE to pay for this particular piece
of software, if it does something I need.  That may go for the rest of
the discontinued software.   But if you can't pay for it, is it still
piracy?  You could argue that something doesn't have to be for sale
for you to steal it, but in this case, who would be wronged?

 Often, DEC has set a good example by placing obsolete software in the
hands of the DECUS library.  They should do similarly with all
remaining internal-use-only software for the RAinbow.  But, until that
happens, if I find a way to get my hands on a copy, that's my
business.  Not yours, and not Gary Stebbins'.

 (And if both of you refrained from using or trying out
internal-DEC-use-only Rainbow MS-DOS 3.1 and Windows 1.0, my hat is
off to you).

 (and in case you're keeping score: 1/3 of this flame to DEC, 1/3 to
the general problem of how to get software for obsolete equipment, and
1/3 to Geoff Reed).


- --- Opus-CBCS 1.12
 * Origin: The Silver Bullet BBS (1:109/417.0)
------------------------------
Date:     07-05-90 (07:19)
To:       MARK BUDA
Subject:  RE: CACHE PROGRAM
From:     FRANK MALLORY

 MB> I have no idea.  Did that software come from SS or did they second
 MB> source  it?  Is SS 100% gone or did they file chapter 11 and are trying
 MB> to come back?

SpeedCache is an adaptation of a program that is (c) 1986,1987 FSS,
Ltd.  FSS   is not listed in Data Sources; judging from the "Ltd",
perhaps it is a British   company.

Data Sources does list a program with the same name, available from
Storage  Dimensions, Inc. (subsidiary of Maxtor).  They can be reached
at 408-879-0300.


- --- msged 1.99L MSC
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247
------------------------------
Date:     07-07-90 (08:15)
To:       JIM GREELY
Subject:  IDRIVE "SECRET"
From:     FRANK MALLORY

 JG> Hmmm.  Don't have one here.  If anyone has a copy of the software and
 JG> the doc's they can lend me I can have my technical person try to get
 JG> one working....  Should be cheap to make since the drive is only
 JG> about $75 and the case is about another $75...

Ruben Fagundo did a good analysis of it; did you see his message?

I think you can get by without the case, and $75 seems a little pricy
for  one.  But do you have a source for the cases?


- --- msged 1.99L MSC
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247
------------------------------
Date:     07-07-90 (11:46)
To:       JIM GREELY
Subject:  IDRIVE "SECRET"
From:     FRANK MALLORY

FWIW, the drive used in the 5 1/4-in. IDrive is a Teac FV-55BV.


- --- msged 1.99L MSC
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247
------------------------------