I personally don’t feel Linux is “there” as a Desktop OS. A desktop OS
needs to be SIMPLE, QNX and Linux are not for Grand Ma and Grand Pa. The
whole advantage of QNX is you can do anything you want if you know how to
configure it. You can boot to a command prompt from the boot image and
connect to a network fileserver… QNX is designed to flexable. Windows is
designed to let “Uncle Bill” run you computer for you, because he knows what
you need more than you do. Windows is better for Grand Ma and Grand Pa,
because they don’t have to think to use it. Linux is getting FAT and is
still not easy to use, heck QNX is easier to use than Linux, and the type of
flexiblity that QNX has requires recompiling the kernel to do the same thing
in Linux. The difference is Linux is FREE and OPEN, which means you have a
huge following of software hippies developing (Cough HACKING Cough) new
software for Linux just because they can. QNX is a bussiness and software
hippies think QNX is “the man” because they won’t give away their source
code (i.e. bread and butter).
QNX is a better operating system, than Linux or Windows from a purely
computer science standpoint. But OS X for the Mac is the only *nix that is
viable as a desktop, but hardware is too damn expensive for some one who
just wants a computer and doesn’t know why. (Grand Ma and Grand Pa again.)
Which again leaves use with “Uncle Bill.”
“Bill Caroselli” <qtps@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:c9559b$adj$1@inn.qnx.com…
John Nagle <> nagle@downside.com> > wrote:
JN > That was a bit much.JN > There are many PCs out there used by people who only run
JN > a few applications. The ongoing hassles associated with Windows
JN > run up the total cost of ownership for businesses which must
JN > deploy large numbers of PCs.JN > A locked-down machine with a browser, OpenOffice, and a
JN > Java environment for business applications is exactly
JN > what you want for call centers and similar clerical jobs.
JN > The opening for QNX is that Microsoft can’t resist dumping
JN > the kitchen sink into their OS, making it vulnerable to attacks.
JN > Total cost of ownership for big farms of dumb PCs is going
JN > up because of Microsoft’s security problems. QNX offers
JN > an escape from the endless patching of the Microsoft world.JN > QNX used to have more of a presence in the retail industry,
JN > for exactly those reasons.JN > John Nagle
JN > Team OverbotI think you make a good point.