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Windows fans, like being a Mustang or Corvette fan, represent arrested development in last centuries technology...

by johnea 5mo ago

isityettime 5mo ago
Windows as a product feels that way, but I think if you're a kernel hacker, that's not really true for you. Monolithic kernels for Unix-like operating systems like GNU/Linux aren't fundamentally that innovative either. (There's innovation within Linux, of course.) I also don't really think computing advances in such a linear way. Lots of cool new tech is about digging up underappreciated insights from computing's distant past and applying it in a new context, or even just propagating it more widely. I'm not saying Windows 9x in particular had anything super interesting going on. But all of the viable desktop and server operating systems are based on really old tech, and at the same time computing's distant past is full of hidden treasures.
- EvanAnderson 5mo ago
  > I'm not saying Windows 9x in particular had anything super interesting going on. Win9X and the VxD layer was a neat virtualization system running in a very resource-constrained environment with a lot of backwards compatibility requirements.
- haileys 5mo ago
  > I'm not saying Windows 9x in particular had anything super interesting going on. Oh it did though, it is a very interesting OS. Much more interesting than it usually gets credit for. It's a proper 32 bit OS with pre-emptive multitasking and demand paging that is enough of a chimera with DOS that it still supports DOS programs, 16 bit Windows apps, and even your old DOS drivers - side-by-side with all the new 32 bit stuff.
the__alchemist 5mo ago
Windows is closer to a "Just works" for my use cases. I think if you are more into running applications on a PC or writing software not related to the OS, it can be a good choice. Where I would choose linux for servers, multi-user IT style systems etc.
cpursley 5mo ago
Please don’t put Mustang and Corvette into the same sentence, they are entirely different classes. Mustang is more comparable to Camaro. While not my cup of tea, the latest mid engine Corvette is a true bargain vs other mid engine performance cars. Speaking of tech, I think the Corvette already 20 years ago had heads up display (projection onto the windshield of current speed).
- johnea 5mo ago
  Their both internal combustion engine based cars, therefore, last centuries technology.

Windows fans, like being a Mustang or Corvette fan, represent arrested development in last centuries technology...

by johnea 5mo ago

Windows fans, like being a Mustang or Corvette fan, represent arrested development in last centuries technology...

Windows as a product feels that way, but I think if you're a kernel hacker, that's not really true for you. Monolithic kernels for Unix-like operating systems like GNU/Linux aren't fundamentally that innovative either. (There's innovation within Linux, of course.) I also don't really think computing advances in such a linear way. Lots of cool new tech is about digging up underappreciated insights from computing's distant past and applying it in a new context, or even just propagating it more widely. I'm not saying Windows 9x in particular had anything super interesting going on. But all of the viable desktop and server operating systems are based on really old tech, and at the same time computing's distant past is full of hidden treasures.

EvanAnderson 5mo ago
> I'm not saying Windows 9x in particular had anything super interesting going on. Win9X and the VxD layer was a neat virtualization system running in a very resource-constrained environment with a lot of backwards compatibility requirements.
haileys 5mo ago
> I'm not saying Windows 9x in particular had anything super interesting going on. Oh it did though, it is a very interesting OS. Much more interesting than it usually gets credit for. It's a proper 32 bit OS with pre-emptive multitasking and demand paging that is enough of a chimera with DOS that it still supports DOS programs, 16 bit Windows apps, and even your old DOS drivers - side-by-side with all the new 32 bit stuff.

the__alchemist 5mo ago

Windows is closer to a "Just works" for my use cases. I think if you are more into running applications on a PC or writing software not related to the OS, it can be a good choice. Where I would choose linux for servers, multi-user IT style systems etc.

cpursley 5mo ago

Please don’t put Mustang and Corvette into the same sentence, they are entirely different classes. Mustang is more comparable to Camaro. While not my cup of tea, the latest mid engine Corvette is a true bargain vs other mid engine performance cars. Speaking of tech, I think the Corvette already 20 years ago had heads up display (projection onto the windshield of current speed).

johnea 5mo ago
Their both internal combustion engine based cars, therefore, last centuries technology.