> I have some thoughts on multitasking...
>
> You DONT NEED multitasking if the current program you are using is
> complex and resource hungry. You do need multitasking for file
> managment, and simple routine tasks that often need to be accessed
> while using another program.
Well, actually, I do need it, especialy for resource hungry
applications.
There are several problems with most task managers for DOS as I see
it, and that includes multi-tasking with hi-res graphic programs,
and programs that use the sound blaster especialy. For example,
what if I want to run a task with QuikView playing an MP3 file list,
while browsing with Arachne? I would like to be able to switch between
tasks without causing one of them to crash, or loose the video data.
With most multi-taskers for DOS, if I change task from the program
that use the sound blaster, that task simply crash, or stop using
the sound blaster, sometimes without noticing something happened.
When I get back, the program is still working, there is just no
sound. With hi-res programs, like NeoPaint and Arachne, changing
tasks and returning causing that task to loose its video data.
I need to refresh the screen to see whats going on (an option
that is not widly avaible in all programs).
Regarding why not simply do a desktop enviroment, thats because
while it will give a solution to general problems, it would still
not help if you would want to multi-task current existing programs.
Windows 95 prooves that you CAN multi-task on DOS without having
all the problems I mentioned previously, and with normal DOS
applications (most of them, anyway.), so why not use it?
And the last reason why to try and extract the multi-tasker from
Windows to DOS-only: its a challenge! ;)
As I like to say, If Windows 95 can do it, I dont see a reason
why DOS cant.
Besides. There are allready several "multi-tasking with their own
applications" GUI's around, like NewDeal. But I still cant use them
to multi-task existing software. If i'll want to use a certain
program that is for DOS and wasnt made for that enviroment, i'll
have to either give up trying to use it with multi-tasking, or program
my own version of it for the enviroment.
Or Botton
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- "Truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction has to make sense."
-----------------------------
http://members.xoom.com/dsdp/
To unsubscribe from SURVPC send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with
unsubscribe SURVPC in the body of the message.
Also, trim this footer from any quoted replies.
