Hi,
On 03/18/2016 02:16 PM, Nix, Robert P. wrote:
³Once it¹s up, linux is linux²Š
Right up until you want to install some piece of software. Unless you have
the source, then linux is x86, or linux is arm, or linux is z.
This is the main issue we ran into in getting acceptance of Linux on z
here, and which ultimately led to its death. Far too many of the things
that people wanted to install were from vendors who supplied the binary
packages, not the source.
Yes, this is generally a problem with most proprietary software vendors
out there. You will find that open source solutions mosty just work.
There needs to be wider acceptance within the software vendor community
for Linux on z (and / or Linux on ARM, Linux on PPC, Š, Linux on things
beyond x86). The problem is that the vendors can go to HP, or Best Buy,
and buy an x86, but they have to work to get an ARM or a PPC, or a Z. Most
aren¹t willing to make the effort to collect these platforms, and aren¹t
willing to invest in a Z system at all simply to test their product.
So yes, Linux runs on anything, from a postage stamp sized ARM system to
the mighty Z. But in the case of Linux on Z, unless cost effective, small
scale development boxes become available (basically a commodity style
machine that could run a small load with a modest amount of disk, but
using the Z instruction set and configuration),
Erm, you mean something like, say, Hercules?
I.e. there is no technical or price barrier here. Only a mind set
barrier. Unless customers start waving money in front of vendors saying
"Z support?", the vendors won't consider anything but the largest
return-on-investment platform, i.e. PC.
Most software vendors probably consider Z not viable because there is no
demand, hence there is no money in it. Once they realize there is a
serious amount of money in this market, they might reconsider. If you
don't tell them, they won't know.
Willy
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