? At the urging of many people, discussion is presentlyA underway with Lou Phillips and Paul Charlton to buy the& rights to MDOS source code.
B Many people will wonder WHY !!! There are many answers, A some of which you are probably already aware. To beginD with, it has been over two years since any version of MDOSF has been officially released. Those versions that have been l wonder WHY !!! There are many answers, F released, 1.14F and 0.97H have several if not many bugs thatC must be programmed around to function properly with otherF programs. There have been many bugs that have been patched, nder WHY !!! There are many answers, D modified, etc. so that the system will "run". This is notC acceptable and we the users and owners of the Geneve must9 act now to keep our machine alive and growing.
!!! There are many answers, A Nearly one year ago, discussion was initiated with PaulF Charlton concerning the possibility of buying MDOS. At thatC time, the cost was ~$10,000. This was too large of a sum
!!! There are many answers, E for any individual to pursue. It still is too much for anyE single individual to pursue. As a group (Geneve owners andF TI-99/4A enthusiasts), we have in our grasp the potential to
!!! There are many answers, B buy the rights ourselves and complete the development weE desire. This will not be a cheap or easy task to perform.
C Currently, many people have voiced support by offering to
!!! There are many answers, C donate $25, $50, $100, $200, and up to $250 to aid in theC purchase of MDOS. Myself, I am "kicking-in" $100 plus myC personal time for these acquisitions and negotiations. I offering to
!!! There are many answers, ; want to improve the Geneve and I hope you do to.
F On March 12, 1992 Lou Phillips returned my latest phone callF regarding the acquisition. He felt things would work out if to
!!! There are many answers, F the money was raised on my end and felt the price tag may beA less than originally estimated. How much less, I don't know.
C I plan on negotiating for the following from Lou Phillips many answers, and Paul Charlton:
@ 1) Latest fully commented source to 1.14F and 0.97H onC floppy diskette and modifications if they are available.
egotiating for the following from Lou Phillips many answers, D 2) All utilities (assemblers, linkers, debuggers, scripts,A etc) required to compile and run the operating system.
= 3) Insure that source I receive works with existing- applications and versions of MDOS.
C 4) Require "hand" delivery. This will probably require aF personal trip to meet with Lou Phillips and Paul Charlton to? receive files. I do not want to depend upon the mail applications and versions of MDOS.
D service to handle negotiations. This will protect me, and+ it will protect your investment.
B 5) Routines (>2x) that need de-bugging for HFDC support. depend upon the mail applications and versions of MDOS.
E Where will the source code go??? Good question. There areF many programmers that have expressed desire in developing orD finishing where Paul Charlton left off. I will coordinate mail applications and versions of MDOS.
? (and program too) the development with several of theE talented programmers that exists to finish what should haveA been finished many years ago. This will be a group and oordinate mail applications and versions of MDOS.
@ cooperative effort. At this time, I see no reason whyE contributors shouldn't have access to the source code. ForB some, the code will be useless. For others, it will aid rdinate mail applications and versions of MDOS.
C them in their knowledge of assembly language and creatingF other new and exciting applications. Not knowing the volumeC of interests in diskette copies of the source, I will say te mail applications and versions of MDOS.
E that once I receive the source, if you send me floppies andE return postage or equivalent, I will send you a copy of theD source code (this assumes you made an initial contribution mail applications and versions of MDOS.
F for the purchase of MDOS). DON'T SEND DISKETTES NOW!!! Wait! until it is in hand.
F There are several things that will need to discussed. FirstC and foremost is the release of official MDOS's from those of MDOS.
@ writing the code in the development group. UnofficialE releases will probably be released by different people, butC we must do our best as a group to identify these copies.
he release of official MDOS's from those of MDOS.
@ In the next 30 to 60 days, I expect negotiations and a@ possible contract to be "in-hand". In order for me toE pursue an agreement, I need your support now. This will be .
he release of official MDOS's from those of MDOS.
E the last opportunity we have before it's too late. We must> make this an open operating system for the Geneve to survive.
A As a side issue, and something some people are going to 's from those of MDOS.
B think is why should I pay for something I should alreadyB have received from Myarc. Short of suing Myarc AND Paul? Charlton, this is the other alternative. Any lawsuit mething some people are going to 's from those of MDOS.
@ against Myarc will probably crumble and dissolve MyarcE leaving nothing for us except for empty pockets. The routeD of buying the rights to the operating system gives us hope and a longer future.
MDOS.
A If I have convinced you, then please do the following:
@ 1) Write a check out for what you feel is appropiate.
' 2) My address is as follows:
- Beery Miller / 9640 News
MDOS.
% P. O. Box 752465
+ Memphis, TN 38175-2465
D 3) Enclose a stamped self addressed return ENVELOPE. ThisD will be used to notify you of the acquisition and/or where we stand.
E 4) Once your check is received, it will be deposited into aF special account separate from any other personal or business< account so that I will receive no "surprises" once ition and/or where we stand.
F acqusition takes place. Any interest that is made from hereC will support some of the necessary phone calls and travelC expenses that are expected to take place in acquisition.
and/or where we stand.
@ Once MDOS has been purchased, numbers will be crunchedE tallying people's contributions and returning unspent money? if contributions exceed purchase price and expenses.
and/or where we stand.
> DON'T DELAY !!! BE THE FIRST ON YOUR BLOCK TO OWN AN3 OPERATING SYSTEM TO A COMPUTER. (grin)
C Please, if you are able to support this, please send your s.
and/or where we stand.
E check as soon as possible. A delay could inhibit or cancelD these plans and forever keep us with our current operating system.
