#OS/2?
19 messages in this thread
In the feature list for 3DSR3 I saw an entry that said "Multitasking
renderer when run under OS/2." Since I have a friend who won't let me live
until I get OS/2, (I've been able to resist him because of 3DSR2), I'm
particularly interested. Does multitasking under OS/2 really speed up the
rendering of an animation? That is, if I render 3 frames at once will they
actually take less time to render than if rendered sequentially? Thanks.
Greg LeVasseur
They won't take less time. Multitasking is basically time-slicing, and if the
machine is doing 3 things at once, it'll take longer to do them. (your
processor doesn't grow exponentially to take on larger tasks, unfortunately)
– G
Have you lived and breathed true preemptive multitasking? Any Amiga-head has.
It changes your work habits in several ways. Of course rendering can always
consume the most processor cycles, and it may not make sense to be editing one
animation and rendering it at the same time. But it might be nice to be
rendering a different animation in the background at a low priority… or to
run a text editor, a debugger, a telecom program, a networking program, a
screen saver, a reminder program, a mail server, etc. in the background. Or
heaven forbid, even run another 3D modeler in the background. Go wild, run two
copies of 3D Studio at once, and cut and paste between shared clipboards.
(Have you really shaken all that Atari poison from your system? 🙂
I agree with you about the power of multitasking… I'm sure that all operating
systems will support it eventually. But right now, under DOS, we don't have
such a luxury.
– G
I can't resist – and don't take this wrong, but why list it in the features
list if it does nothing to enhance ones work. I mean it does make sense that it
will not be faster but then why use it at all? Just wondering.
Dave Mennenoh
The ability to run under OS/2 is listed because some folks use OS/2 as their
operating system and they'd like to run 3DS on their machines. Without this
capability, they can't do it.
– G
I was planning on purchasing OS/2 this month when I heard that it would do
multi-tasking. To me, this means just a simple thing. Run 3DS-R3 to do
rendering and if I want to go online to CI$, I can. I understand that the
rendering will be slowed down, but I only have one machine, and when it is
rendering for days, I am without a computer.
Will I be able to render, and maybe do word processing?
If not, please let me know, so I don't but OS/2 for nothing.
Thanks,
Dennis
If you're rendering and then you start doing something non-cpu-intensive (like
word processing or telecommunications), the rendering won't be slowed down much
at all. It only takes a hit if you start up another rendering process (or
something cpu-intensive like that).
– G
Gary-
I'm not quite clear on the OS/2 WinNT thing. Will 3dsr3 run under
WinNT too, or is this something we all have to wait for r4 to have.
And if anybody whats to give a quick lesson on multitaskers, What's
the difference between OS/2 and WinNT.
Thanks
Carl
I haven't used R3 under NT, and don't know of anyone who's doing it, but it
should be possible to run it in a DOS box.
The differences between OS/2 and NT need to be elucidated by someone else. I'm
sure that subject could fill a few pages.
– G
Gary is right. The differences (and opinions on differences) can easily eat
forum space. You may want to lurk on OS2USER for a little while, or even try
Will Zachmann's CANOPUS forum…. If you have specific questions on OS/2, you
can contact me directly.
cc: CARL SMITH [71764,3253]
JimmyG – Manager OS/2 Graphics Development
Thanks for clarifying the OS/2 issue Gary.
I can't wait until 3DSv3 comes out…I currently use OS/2 2.1 and take
advantage of true-multitasking, multiple applications, etc. all the time. As I
write this, I'm logged onto another system, compiling in a Windows 3.1 session
(well, there's a problem in my C++ code), and system monitors up, and playing a
video on my desktop.
You won't be sorry…Heck, it was only $99 for an upgrade ($139 for firstime).
You won't find another multitasking 32-bit operating system for this price and
wonderful OS/2, DOS, and Windows 3.1 support.
Any specific OS/2 questions, direct them to me in a email note. Glad to help
out…
Michael;
Great! I plan to buy it at the end of this month so I can get used to it
before 3DS R3 is released.
Thanks for the offer of help when I get it.
Dennis
Good for you! To save you some extra $$$, there are two different OS/2
2.1 packages available: package #1 is considered for the "first-time"
OS/2 purchaser, someone who hasn't had a previous copy of OS/2
before; package #2 is the "upgrade" for those who have OS/2 *or* DOS
*or* Windows. You get the same books, same code, its just that
package #2 assumes that you have *some* other operating system on
your system. Assuming that you have DOS, get the *upgrade* package
and you can save about $30-$40. I saw an add for OS/2 2.1 the other
day for $88. Oh, if you have a CDROM drive, get the CDROM version.
Installation in about 20 minutes. It's a screamer!
Michael
And, again, any questions let me know…
Michael;
I don't have a cd-rom. But I do use DOS, and was planning on the upgrade. I
had located a source for $89.90 plus shipping.
Thanks Again!
Dennis
Hi Could you mention where you saw OS/2 for that price ?
Joe Roseberry
Joseph;
A mail order catalog called Tiger Software in Florida.
Their phone number is (800) 888-4437, or (305) 443 8212.
I haven't ever ordered from them, but was planning to do so in a couple of
weeks.
Dennis
Too bad. I was hoping there might be a _little_ speed gain. Nothing
exponenential. I guess rendering is just too processor intensive.
Greg