Re: [ql-users] Operating Systems

[Roy wood]

In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Wolfgang Lenerz 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes
On 2 Apr 2004 at 23:55, Roy wood wrote:
(...)
On this question of what should be included in the OS or not, I personally
think that the OS should (only) include system-wide features, i.e. features
that could be used by more than one specific program.
This is still retro thinking. In the end what I am concerned with is the 
usability of the whole and making that a 'straight out of the box' 
experience.
In that sense, a browser, for example (it is not, I agree, an innocent
example) should not be integrated as such into the OS.
But why not? The user who buys the system as a functioning whole does 
not want to have to hunt down and install loads of utility programs in 
order to have a working computer. For the purist I can see why you may 
see it this way but we are in a minority. I sell computers to the 
general public - 'the great unwashed' as Stuart Honeyball would have it. 
They do not care what browser, what media player etc. They want to go 
home and plug it in and have it work. Go on the Internet, play a CD, 
watch a movie. This is what a computer is to them. They are the 
consumers, the end users, and this is what they want.
By all means, though, heap on any extra program you want (media players and
what not) NEXT to the OS - provided you clearly explain what they are and how
I could get rid of them if I want any others.
But you do not have to remove them, just not use them and that is fairly 
easy to do.

To reply Dave P's message in the same slot. Where do your statistics 
come from? I would say that it is not from the general, PC World 
visiting, public. LINUX use is increasing I would agree but it is a long 
way from overtaking M$ and has a lot of hurdles to jump before it even 
gets a significant share of the market. In my opinion it is only going 
to get there if it goes down the same route as M$ and integrates a lot 
of facilities into a standard installation and then it will face the 
same problems.
--
Roy Wood
Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex.
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030    fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501
web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk

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