On Thu, 10 Sep 1998, John Foust wrote:
> I believe it would be possible to refine a layer of compatibility
> into WinNT that would allow more and more Linux software to be
> recompiled to run under WinNT as-is (or someday, even running the
> executables directly.)
>
> I like tossing this idea on the table at programmer lunches just
> to see the reactions it provokes. Because of the freeware nature
> of Linux, as long as Microsoft abides by the rules of releasing
> the *relevant* source code, they'd be free to assimilate as many
> freeware tools as they like. Today they'll ship you a service pack CD
> for $9.95; tomorrow they might ship a $9.95 Linux compatibility CD,
> or even give it away as a promotion.
But why? The whole point of using Linux instead of something like NT is
that it doesn't blow.
> The average Linux-head has a hypocritical hatred of Microsoft
> when considered in the light of their devotion to portable,
> run-everywhere source code. Why shouldn't Linux freeware run
> under NT, too?
Because it would probably crash all the time.
> "To run all that great Linux application software," a double-whammy
> that underscores the lack of anything truly comparable to
> Microsoft Office in the Linux market. To ask why Microsoft would
> assimilate Linux forces one to consider which Linux apps are most
> useful to anyone but the most nerdy.
You obviously haven't perused the catalogs of Linux productivity software
lately, have you?
> Implement a layer of HAL that talks to Unix-style device drivers, add
> an X Window server to the top layers, expand the present POSIX support,
> enhance the GNU Win32 effort, make a more Unix-like shell, and presto,
> Microsoft assimilates a great deal of Linux. All the Linux programmers
> are working for Microsoft, unless they explicitly do something to
> prevent it.
If this happens then great! It might make NT worthy of the term
"Operating System". But the fact is you'd have NT masquerading as Linux,
and if you're going to go through all the trouble of paying a bundle of
money for a half-assed Linux, what's the point? Just buy a $39.95 CD
distribution of Linux and get ALL the power of Linux.
> Think I can sell the idea to Uncle Bill, or do you think he's already
> Microserfs working on it? And perhaps even Ballmer is thinking about it:
I think what ever scheme they're concocting will ultimately fail, or in
the very least, it won't affect the rising tide of Linux. It's just too
late. This is no browser war.
> Freedows is an interesting effort to run Windows apps under Linux:
> <http://www.freedows.org/english/high/index.html>.
A much more productive end goal. Port the software over to the good OS,
not the other way around.
> As for the ten-year-rule, I think the assimilation of Linux into
> WinNT will be good for emulators in general, making it possible
> to download old Apple II executables and double-click on them
> and automagically start the right emulator.
I think the better solution is to have someone write such an interface in
Linux (someone probably already has) but your feeble attempt to make this
seem topical has failed :)
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Thu Sep 10 1998 - 12:03:07 BST