Need help to update SCO/filePro system into a LAN.

[John Esak]

Again, Gary, as I mentioned to you privately... You are getting some nice
responses from a lot of very talented and busy people here, so do me proud
and be sure to respond to each email directed to your request. I would try
and make sure everyone who offers their time or services for fee or free,
make sure everyone gets a response from you.  When you finally pick someone
you "click" with or however it works out... When you start the work if the
person does not know the SCO part of things... Like Brian here does... You
can arrange a time/date where I can be around telephonically, and use me as
a phone resource.  But again, this is the type of thing I want to do least
in my life just now. :-)  And to answer Brian's comment, I think you do have
an older system, but not that old and not that limited. It just lacks the
NIC. However, if I gave you a Pro-1000 instead of a Pro-100, you will need
to load an O/S update to get that driver, or specifically find the SCO
Pro-1000 driver.  I forget the update's filename... But it's easily looked
up. Again, see this is the kind of thing I don't want to do anymore. In
fact, the last time I had to get this particular update for SCO was for your
Mom's Unix box way back when we put in a new machine after her dinosaur
died.... Maybe 6 years ago... Or more?   (Gary's Mom runs a completely
unrelated lighting store in Wyckoff, NJ)  If I did send you a "newer" NIC in
a commercial box... There may be a SCO driver on the disk in there... But
don't count on it... There is anotehr update needed in the O/S as well
before that particular driver will work anyway.  SCO is a weird duck these
days compared to newer systems like Linux, but many of the people here, like
Brian, know the quirks and where to get the right O/S updates you might need
before installing the NIC.

Remember to try and send a "thank you, but I've done this..." kind of email
back to everyone who replies.  At least, that is what I would always do when
making an offer like this.  This group is more close and "closed" and should
be treated a little more special than say your putting an advert in the
newspaper.  Each respsonder would not like to dangle wondering if you will
reply or not.  (I'm just trying to fill you in on some of what might be
considered the "netiqueete" for an online club like this... I know you have
never been in one before.  (Guess what, the filePro group here, may just be
one of the very oldest ever... Meaning from the dawn, and pre-dawn of PC
computing. Many young people here, too, but some real old fogies like me,
too. :-)  I know people on this list from first communications with them in
1979 on Compuserve.  (hi Jim, Bill, JP... Etc., :-))

Johnny

(I don't think anyone on this list has ever heard me called that... :-) but
I doubt you could relate to "John". It's hard for me at times. When people
say John in a crowded room, I don't turn my head... If they say, "Johnny",
I'm immediately thinking they're talking to me.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.com 
> [mailto:filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.co
m] On Behalf Of Brian K. White
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 3:17 PM
> To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> Cc: gary at lightingsuperstore.com
> Subject: RE: Need help to update SCO/filePro system into a LAN.
> 
> On Wed, 2010-02-17 at 13:44 -0500, John Esak wrote:
> > I'm going to elaborate on Gary's note (and add a subject). 
> This is a cousin
> > of mine. He has a SCO 5.5 system I think. He uses 4.5 
> filePro. There is no
> > network card in the server so I sent him an Intel Pro 1000 
> which I know will
> > work if done properly. He essentially needs to get on a LAN 
> so that he can
> > add a printer. He is currently using all Wyse 50 terminals 
> and dot-matrix
> > printers. Someone needs to ensure he doesn't get a brain 
> dead printer... Or
> > set him up with Bob's PrintWizard program... After 
> installing the NIC and
> > the small bit that entails.  I am also sending him a 
> Linksys WAP which once
> > reset with a paper clip will be just a plug in situation. 
> He has a wireless
> > laptop tht he wants to log into the server with and run 
> filePro. Amother
> > program he obviously needs is Bob's anziowin.  (He will 
> need a switch...
> > Unless I sent him one... Help with the hardware and the 
> printer would be
> > helpful as well.)  
> > 
> > So, this is an upgrade that is right up someone's alley. 
> His filePro is all
> > working okay. It is a bastardized very old NEX accounting 
> package.. The A/R
> > which he has added a purchasing piece to... Without a G/L 
> it is really just
> > keeping track of receivables and the PO's he sends out for 
> inventory.  I
> > don't think he wants to change any of this at this point. 
> But, he does want
> > to get networking going, and the printing thing.
> > 
> > He is in Paramus, NJ.  
> > 
> > Don't ask why I'm not making the money to do this... Yes, I 
> like money. :-)
> > I'm retired... And if I give that up for the easy ones... I 
> will be right
> > back at my stroke-inducing pace.  If I ever have a heart 
> attack now, I want
> > it to be from playing the drums too fast... Or swinging my 
> arm in too big a
> > circle on those giant power chords!  :-)
> > 
> > I enhanced Gary's note because he doesn't know that more 
> information would
> > have been asked of him before anyone even wanted to call 
> him. People could
> > never guess the strange etiquette and expectations of this 
> place. ;-)
> > 
> > John
> > 
> > P.S. - Hey Laura, do you still do this kind of stuff? If 
> you do give him a
> > call.  Thanks to anyone who helps him.
> > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.com 
> > > [mailto:filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.co
> > m] On Behalf Of gary at lightingsuperstore.com
> > > Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 10:21 AM
> > > To: Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> > > Subject: 
> > > 
> > > looking for a developer to assist with updating my unix 
> > > system in North
> > > Jersey ....
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Thank You
> > > and have a great day.
> > > 
> > > Gary D
> > > Lighting Superstore
> > > (201) 445-4700
> 
> I never ever moonlight, but, this one is so easy (for me) and it's
> possible with that set of stuff no one near-by may be in a position to
> do it, and it would be silly to suffer without for such simple stuff,
> and, I AM trying to finish buying a car without financing...
> 
> So, I'm replying publicly so that if anyone else wants it because they
> need it more than I do, go right ahead. I do not really need or want
> another customer outside of Aljex's normal customers, (which no longer
> includes random arbitrary unix/filepro support) where I imagine a
> freelancer needs every single customer they can find.
> 
> But, if it happens that it's not convenient for anyone else, 
> I am right
> in the area and everything John just said is sleepwalk stuff for me.
> 
> Only possible hitch is, with that setup, it's just possible 
> he only has
> the Host version of osr5, with no network support in the OS and it's
> non-trivial to add, so that means an os upgrade... Seeing as it sounds
> like he's doing nothing weird or extra at all, just filepro and serial
> terminals and printers, which is all dead simple, that means it's
> actually a pretty painless switchover to linux instead of actually
> upgrading the osr5 if he has Host or if the hardware turns out to have
> age related problems.
> 
> -- 
> bkw
> 
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