Microsoft and Unix/Linux (Myths and IP)

[James Knott]

Charles philip Chan wrote:
>> In fact, when you purchased one of the original IBM PCs, you were
>> given a choice -- PC-DOS (IBM's OEM version of MS-DOS 1.1) at $70, or
>> CP/M-86 which cost more than $300. You could but either, but most
>> naturally chose the less expensive option.
>>     
>
> I didn't know you were given a choice. However, MS-DOS was a toy
> compared to CP/M in those days. At least CP/M have some type of
> multi-users concept. Of course CP/M was like a toy when compared to
> Unix. :-)
>
>   
Another option was p-code or similar.  However, I never heard of anyone
using it.

>> I don't ever recall 1-2-3 ever being available on pre-IBM CP/M. IIRC
>> it was, in fact, the IBM PC's "killer app" that obsoleted Visicalc
>> almost overnight.
>>     
>
> I still have the Lotus 123 floppy along with WordStar 1.0, DBase, etc,
> for my Osbourne IIB, so I know it predates DOS. I also have a 8080
> daughter board for my Ossie that can run MS-DOS 1.0, however I don't
> have any DOS apps from those days.
>   

It would have been either an 8088 or 8086 daughter board, as the 8080
wouldn't run DOS.  Incidentally, I upgraded my XT clone, by replacing
the 8088 with a V20, which not only delivered better performance than
the 8088, but could also directly run 8080 code, including CP/M.

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