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To: I1002812--IBMMAIL NFB R&D Committee
FROM: Steve Jacobson - IT Order Proc. Mktg. and Dist.
3M Company - 555-01-03 Phone: (612) 733-9780
St. Paul, MN 55144 FAX: (612) 736-6037
Subject: Old Computers and Dying Dos Apps
Harvy's and Robert's points about changes in computer software prompted
me to comment upon another aspect of software purchasing that affects
the value of that old 8088. Yes, some of us still use them! During the
past year, I have found three major non-graphical DOS applications that
require at least an 80286 to run. I don't mean that they require 80286's
to run well, rather to run at all. As I understand it, this has to do
with how memory, and to a lesser degree the keyboard, can be
manipulated. Such applications include, and these are all the DOS
versions, WordPerfect 6.0, recent versions of C++ compilers from
Borland, and DBase IV, Version 2.0 or later.
Because of better memory management, it's probably only a matter of time
before an 80386 will be a minimum for applications with any degree of
sophistication.
This doesn't mean that there won't be applications that will still be
of value within the context of their use. For most of us, WordPerfect
5.1 has more than we will ever need at home, and DBase IV, version 1.2
is very powerful. But we need to remain aware of the trends. So think
twice before buying that mint condition IBM-XT. It may be that you *can*
afford to pass it up!
Regards,
Steve Jacobson
IBMMAIL: USMMMXBL
INTERNET: USMMMXBL@IBMMAIL.COM
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