http://www.ieee-pses.org/symposium http://www.emc2004.org/
--------------------------------------------------
There is an awful lot of theory when it comes to Windoze (see I spelt it wrong
so Bill can't come after me), especialy when it comes to reliability (actually
windoze is pure theory in this area). I would only seriously consider using a
Linux based box for high reliability, and math intensive applications. Matlab
is available for all three platforms, and Labview is available for windoze and
Linux.
Most of the unreliability of PCs is caused by the OS, not the hardware. I had
an ancient HP Vectra that was running NT. It used to crash regularly and
suffer from memory leaks. It would not run for more than a few days without
needing a reboot. I was told that there was a hardware problem, but I was not
convinced, and I loaded a Linux distributionRed Hat 7.0. That same machine has
not been rebooted for over 2 years now, except when we had the big power
blackout last year.
The other big plus for Linux is that you don't have to load security patches
every 3 days.
As far as the hardware goes Dell, HP and IBM both make exellent hardware and
provide excellent support.
My $0.02
Doug
"Brian O'Connell" <[email protected]>
Sent by: [email protected]
08/17/04 09:53 AM
To: robert Macy <[email protected]>, [email protected]
cc:
Subject: RE: Which Operating System - 2000 vs XP to use?
http://www.ieee-pses.org/symposium http://www.emc2004.org/
--------------------------------------------------
Both are based on the original Windows NT kernel. In general, Win2000 is a
more lean OS.
If you take Win2000 Pro, install the service packs, Internet Explorer 6, Media
Player 8, and DirectX 8, the system will essentially be WinXP without the tons
of additional code that comes with XP. And the "product activation" insanity
is largely avoided.
WinXP also offers many bells and whistles, such as built-in CD writer support,
Remote Desktop Connection, Internet Connection Firewall, Fast User Switching
(for multiple users sharing one PC), and Windows Movie Maker.
In THEORY, third-party driver problems are mitigated with XP, as Microsoft has
formalized a testing process to verify that third-party device drivers meet
certain criteria. Microsoft maintains a single update site containing copies
of all certified driver and application program upgrades. Also, when new DLLs
are installed, XP will retain the older versions to allow for restore when
something goes wrong. Updates can be automatically downloaded and installed
for network users (which most sysadmins strongly discourage).
A more technical discussion: <http://w
w.perpetualtechnologysolutions.com/stra
egicsolutions/whitepapers/Microsoft_XP_vs_2000.pdf>
http://www.perpetualtechnologysolutions
com/strategicsolutions/whitepapers/Microsoft_XP_vs_2000.pdf
If support for existing or future software is important, and you intend to use
this box for > 3 years, you should probably consider XP pro on a box with
mucho memory.
As for reliable hardware, A Dell, HP (Compaq?), Gateway (eMachines?), etc can
all be considered generally the same. (Although I do have stats from my two
previous employers that indicate IBM boxes are good machines). What makes a
HARDWARE reliable is its environment, and the quality of its power supply.
What makes HARDWARE appear to be reliable is a good BIOS and a clean OS
install and app configurations. Do not use instrument control machines to surf
the web, or to develop software. What makes SOFTWARE reliable is doing nothing
with it....
If the box is running mission-critical stuff (eg, production ATE), I would
consider using a BSD or Linux box with commercial development tools. Matlab
will run on a Linux box, but the GUI config for this application is not
trivial.
If your lab is IEC 17025 accredited (eg, TMP, SMT, WMT), you may find that
software validation and verification is not possible with a Microsoft OS.
luck,
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: robert Macy [ <mailto:[email protected]> mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 2:01 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Which Operating System - 2000 vs XP to use?
<http://www.ieee-pses.org/symposium> http://www.ieee-pses.org/symposium
<http://www.emc2004.org/> http://www.emc2004.org/
--------------------------------------------------
Group,
Anybody have a succinct (factual) answer to the question:
Which Operating System should I use for controlling my
equipment and manipulating the mass of data? Should I use
the 2000, or XP?
Consider we'll probably be running a lot of matlab type
and/or viewlab type SW.
I was already to go get a new 2000 system, but one of our
third party software suppliers has recommended XP with the
only justification - "our stuff has been tested in more
applications, more units of the XP."
Anybody have experience comparing these two OS?
Also, where to get inexpensive, reliable PC's?
Dell is one source. Fry's another. EBay is out.
Any others? What ever happened to a company called,
Evergreen?
Does anybody have a system they want to sell in order to
make room for an upgrade?
- Robert -
Robert A. Macy, PE. . [email protected]
408 286 3985. . . . . . . fx 408 297 9121
AJM International Electronics Consultants
101 E San Fernando, Suite 402
San Jose, CA 95112
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