Hi all, I know that the debate was supposed to stop in the last QL-Today but I just received my back issues (thanks Jochen) and I read Peter's response where my name was mentioned. I do not have the previous issue but I suspect is related to my remark on this list that the Q40/60 are cheaper than a PC. I feel the need to say a couple more things and I also will be writing a lengthy email here concerning the other issues and the heated debate (but that's for later :-)
Concerning the price of a Q40/60 Windoze fans forget that you can do ALL you can with a PC (including email, graphics manipulation, surf the net or even make it a file server), plus have a native QL which has none of the limitations of the emulated processor core (usually bugs that no matter how good a program is and QPC 2 is EXTREMELY good no question about it) and all that without paying for the software (or paying very little). A WYSIWYG word processor or office suite like Word/MS Office for example can run to hundreds of $/�/�'s A graphic manipulation program (ie Photoshop) can rack up an other 5 or 6 hundred $/Euros as well and not to mention Windoze itself that costs at least $99 for an UPGRADE. So a low cost PC will COST YOU! On the other hand you get tools like that under Q40/60 Linux for free! Somebody could say that they could install Linux on their PC and have the same thing.... What about QPC then? Or how many of the AVERAGE users can make a dual boot/partition system Windows/Linux work reliably right out of the box? And how long it will take them to install... tune and hell BOOT!????? You can see that for the majority of average PC users Linux is totally out of the question due to the inherent problems of the required multiple drivers etc during boot, all the modprob sequences, the myriad of graphic cards.... etc. On Q40/60's this problem is solved since the hardware is specific and there is no need for second guessing. The installation is pretty straight forward and I believe an average user can do it... especially with the extremely clear instructions provided by Richard. Furthermore, yes there are some limitations on the Q40/60 SMS/QDOS drivers but until an Open QL OS is created this will be the case for any QL platform or emulator. So in conclusion if you factor in the Price of a comparable in QL emulation speed PC (An Athlon 1.2GHz + for example) and the probably two hard drives that are going to be needed in order to get Linux running (if the average user manages it finally) AND the cost of Windows AND Software for "serious" work then there you have it ladies and gentlemen... The Q60 is the way to go.... And if anyone asks me why I haven't got one already... For the same reason I didn't get a PC either... new family addition. But if I were to buy a new machine... even though the choice in hardware terms alone seems to favor any new low cost powerful PC I would (and will) buy a Q60. Most of you know that I ordered one way back when and for several reasons too lengthy to explain and irrelevant to our discussion never came. P.S. For "SERIOUS" work like a commercial web server for example, the Q40/60 are far better suited than ANY modern PC in terms of service alone. In environments were 100% uptime is crucial companies still use 486sx's (that are a lot slower in Linux than the Q60) because of the absence of heat related problems. Any Q60 can handle 100% uptime because of its extremely low power consumption and absence of a need for a fan etc... etc... Even in pseudo embedded web applications where the hard drive would be a CF IDE connected module the cost of electric power alone operation alone (compare 220 Watts to 10 Watts) justifies buying a Q60... Just like the cost of operation justifies getting a colour laser against ANY inkjet printer (I change mine every time the inks are depleting since it's cheaper to buy a new one with the inks instead of buying NEW inks!). Long Live the HARDWARE QLs..... :-) (and their peripherals) Phoebus A more elaborate version of this quickly put together email will follow sometime in the week ..... but you can start flaming now... I don't mind :-)
