THEOS Operating System
THEOS is owned and copyrighted by THEOS Software Corporation.
StockBoy and StockBoy Services are NOT legally affiliated
with THEOS Software Corporation.
StockBoy Services has been an authorized THEOS reseller since 1980.
First of all, let's define our terms!
Operating System: A sophisticated series of programs (software) that serve as the base foundation for all
functions of the computer. The Operating System (O/S) is responsible for all interaction
between the hardware components of the computer and the application programming the
operator is using. Home and small business computers use Windows and/or DOS (disk
operating system), while StockBoy utilizes the multi-user operating system called THEOS
("thee' - ose"). Generally, all operating systems are not compatible with one another and only
one O/S can be running on a computer at any one time. The operating system generally runs
'invisibly' with regard to the computer operator, but occasionally there might be some
requirement to directly use O/S commands (this is the case with DOS commands).
StockBoy is written for use on the THEOS operating system and will NOT function on DOS
or Windows. While the same types of computers can run any of these operating systems, only
when the computer is booted up using THEOS can the StockBoy software function. StockBoy
uses THEOS because of several advantages described below.
Application Software: Software that is directly used by a computer operator that provides a series of functions
regarding a particular task or series of tasks. StockBoy is an example of application software
-- the operators are using the program directly as opposed to operating system programming
which operators are actually using, but indirectly. Application programming involves
activity related to some business, educational or entertainment objective, while operating
system programming is ONLY related to controlling the functions of the computer itself.
StockBoy utilizes the THEOS operating system for several important reasons:
1. True multi-user and multi-tasking. While Windows95 (released in August of 1995) has
arrived on the scene with multi-tasking (the ability to run more than one program at a time on a single
computer), THEOS has been doing it since 1978. In addition, you can run more than one screen on
THEOS (multi-user) without having to network a series of independent computers together.
2. Multi-user without networking. THEOS makes a micro computer run like a big mainframe computer --- it is capable of setting up multiple terminals running on one computer so that each terminal is 'time sharing' the main computer. This is just like the operating systems used by hospitals, municipalities, police departments, utilities, banks, and large corporations.
The advantage of true multi-user time sharing is that all screens are using the exact same data at the
same time, so when one screen updates information, that information is instantly available to all other
stations without having to manually move data from one station to another. THEOS also provides
access to shared resources -- all screens can use the same printer at the same time, for example.
3. Lower initial investment. There is significant pricing advantages to multi-user versus
networking, in addition to the performance benefit. It is much, much less expensive to hook up
multiple terminals to one mainframe computer than it is to network --- networking means hooking up
multiple computers together with expensive networking software and cabling. With true multi-user
programming, you only have to buy the application software ONCE (it is shared by all terminals).
With networking you are obligated to buy MULTIPLE copies of the software for each computer on
the network, or you are obligated to buy a site license for the software, or you are pirating the software
and are violating federal copyright law.
4. Speed and efficiency. StockBoy uses a menu-oriented, text-based interface -- this means that
the screens do not contain graphics, pictures, icons, or other artwork. If you've worked with graphic
interfaces (such as Windows) you realize that it takes a very fast computer just to make the programs
run at a sluggish rate. While graphics are wonderful for drawing, desktop publishing, entertainment,
etc, they are far too slow for general business efficiency. Can you imagine using a mouse to ring up
sales at a busy retail store? While some employees are disappointed, most owners and managers are
delighted that there is no way to load 'Solitaire' or any other form of game on a StockBoy business
computer!
The menu-oriented approach is easy to learn and is easy to master for speed once the learning process
is over. The opposite is true with most graphic oriented programs. A common promotional phrase
that is used to sell Windows is, "It's easy to use by the novice!" (which is mostly true). But,
unfortunately, once you get the hang of it, the system still forces you to use those novice-level
functions. It's like having a bike with training wheels that never come off!
5. Security. THEOS is NOT Windows or DOS compatible. This is a good thing! A disgruntled high
school student with a DOS diskette can do NOTHING to view, edit, erase, modify, or delete your
business data on a StockBoy system. Business owners with StockBoy are never 'held hostage' by
employees that might know more about computers than they do. You never need to worry about a
'short term' employee taking electronic pictures of your customer data base and selling it to the
competition.
Yes, THEOS and StockBoy are NOT DOS compatible and therefore will NOT run your favorite
Windows program nor DOS word processor (nor office-productivity-wasting GAME). But keep in
mind that StockBoy is a dedicated retail management system, not merely an assembly of computer
hardware and programming -- would you ask your cash registers to run WordPerfect? If you need
DOS/Windows functions in your business (desktop publishing, spreadsheets, games, etc), then by all
means use a PC (personal computer) to accomplish those tasks in an independent environment.
Remember that you can easily use a DOS/Windows computer as a terminal to access the StockBoy
mainframe using a DOS program called ScanTerm. With ScanTerm you get the best of both worlds
for your PC, full use of your DOS/Windows applications, and direct access to your professional
business StockBoy system (and at the same time!).
6. Turn-key Operation. StockBoy, using the THEOS operating system, is a good example of a 'turn-key' system -- ready to run. You have absolutely no operating system commands or functions to learn or memorize as you do with DOS and other O/S's. All the steps necessary to running and maintaining your data and your hardware are all built-in to the StockBoy software, thus making the operating system invisible to the operator. When the system powers up there are no options to choose, no commands to type in -- the software is up and running immediately and securely.