Lance Lyon wrote: > [...] Are you saying that DOS isn't capable or running mission > critical apps 24/7 without failure ? I'd certainly dispute that!
Lance, this has been an ongoing theme on this list for years. Typically, someone will post a question or comment relating to Linux or some other non-DOS OS. Day will reply with a message obscurely implying that DOS can do it, but provide no full explanation. I'm fine with that, and it is sometimes quite interesting to see what he'll come up with. However, I do get annoyed when it turns from "I like DOS (or whatever) because LINUX IS TOO HARD", or "LINUX CAN'T DO <whatever>" when those statements are completely untrue. I'll tend to try to get day to elaborate, or directly challenge when he's sending potentially dangerous or destructive advice. That's not an attack on DOS though. I like Linux for the same reasons I liked DOS: The ability to "get under the hood" of the system to understand or fix what's going on. > Can't remember the last time the DOS based comms machine here was > rebooted - let's see, moved in in April of last year & it's never > been down (or touched) since then. I was a long-time DOS die-hard, WAY before I started using Windows or Linux regularly, and I agree completely that there are tasks for which it is ideally suited! I don't use it regularly now, but I could configure memory management (QEMM and DesqView) with the best of 'em. I also recognize it has limitations that no amount of machine speed or RAM can overcome however. That's not bad, but should be recognized. > [...] I have a lot of faith in the DOS machine, it's ddefinitely a > setup & ignore situation. I assume everyone's read the story about the NetWare server that was so reliable that nobody noticed for years that the doorway to the room it was housed in had been plastered over? It was only after following the network cable that they realized what had happened. I was an equally staunch advocate of NetWare on servers, long before Windows NT hit the scene (and for years after as well, only to be replaced by *nix.) NetWare is a good example of the "DOS philosophy" if you will. Do a specific set of functions, well and simply. Only Novell specifically targeted a network based, multi-user (client) environment rather than the desktop. There are still many DOS-based PC/NetWare server systems chugging merrily along. Only lack of support (hardware and software) will cause them to be killed off, but that day is probably approaching. Sadly, Novell didn't "get" the Internet until too late, and bad marketing (plus MS tactics) hurt them badly. - Bob
