On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 3:08 PM, Harold Fuchs wrote: > Huh??? How can the existence of an emulator [or is it a simulator? Please, > let's not go there] for Windows prove that Windows is less well equipped to > provide solutions?
Emulators are "quick fixes" that enable market leaders to migrate to the new platform of choice, prior to porting the code. Historically, this only happens when the market is about to abandon their former platform of choice. There are what, four(?) programs that emulate windows on Mac OS X. There are two or three for **Nix. (Trying to remember if OpenSolaris includes an emulator, or just virtualization.) > But ultimately, by relying on WINE you end up with Linux being dependent on > Microsoft for solutions. Is that what you want? a) As WINE becomes compatible/usable by more software, it becomes easier for users to migrate to Linux. At some point, the software developers have to either abandon their software, or migrate it to the new platform --- Linux or Mac OS X, or both; b) FLOSS program development is addressing the needs/requirements of non-geek users. If you don't have professional/industry certification requirements, FLOSS software is ready. If you do have professional/industry certification requirements, FLOSS might not able to adequately provide for your needs; c) Vendor lockin is a major issue. Probably a bigger issue than most FLOSS advocates admit to it being. Being able to run a program under WINE is a potential first step away from that lockin. xan jonathon --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
