APPLEVISION Monitor

From: Richard Erlacher <edick_at_idcomm.com>
Date: Mon May 6 00:30:52 2002

It's pretty clear that all the various hardware/software combinations, i.e.
computer+OS, that get any air time in this forum, seem to have a place. There
are several reasons, for example, why I don't use UNIX in my work, but, aside
from overall cost, it's mainly that I've never had to do so. I've used UNIX
workstations but only when no alternative existed. I understand why people
complain about Windows, and why they gripe that it's too this or that, but,
for the price, you really can't go out and buy a system, set an average
college graduate in front of it, and expect him to do anything meaningful the
first day if you install LINUX.

I've been using computers in one way or another, directly, since the very
early '60's, and still have trouble figuring out what to do on a Macintosh, or
how to do it. That's probably because of my extensive exposure to DOS/Windows
and little else for the past 15 years, but I do have 5+ years of daily
Macintosh use under my belt.

I've also got some *nix experience, and, frankly, anything that requires I
recompile the OS just to install a driver is too much trouble. I've done
that, but hopefully never will again.

People's needs are different, but their use of various products is
needs-driven. Some people need to get a job done, and if they can do it with
something cheap and easy, that's the route they pursue, while others, in need
of personal validation of one sort or another, prefer the extensive sophistry
of *nix. Now, there ARE things that *nix can do better, in some ways than can
be done under DOS/Windows, but it costs more, requires considerable learning
either at school or at home, and takes a lot of time to do. Until somebody
shows me a way to do something that's better for me in my environment and with
my applications, I'm going to be hard to sway.

It doesn't matter to me that I'm right or wrong, only that it works easily and
conveniently for me. It doesn't matter that I happen to be among the majority
of computer users on the planet, either, because that doesn't guarantee that
what I'm using/doing is the best or easiest way. Only I can determine that.

I don't play games much, so I don't need the multi-GHz CPU's that demands, and
I don't mess with music or video much. I use both DOS and Windows, and find
that DOS is the most practical environment for doing hardware-related work,
e.g. stimulating, or monitoring the behavior of, circuits, but I find that the
low-cost development tools available for Windows make it possible to do things
I certainly couldn't afford under UNIX, with their 7-figure license costs and
5-figure per quarter maintenance costs.

You've done what's reasonable, i.e, chosen the tools that best meet your
needs. If not, you will. Though the Microsoft Windows version-du-jour may
not be your cup of tea, it's adequate for most of the users out there for the
simple reason that it does the simple and obvous things with the comfortable
if not appropriate (to some people's thinking) assume-the-obvious-and-plow-on
through approach.

While not everyone thinks that's "clean" it keeps the dollars flowing.

Dick

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Hudson" <rhudson_at_cnonline.net>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2002 10:54 PM
Subject: Re: APPLEVISION Monitor


>
> > Yes. Window IS perfect proof of this. You will be hard pressed to find
> > people that use multiple different OSes including Windows, and honestly
> > believe Windows is the "best of the bunch". There are some, but then for
> > any idea, you will always find some that believe the idea is the best. (I
> > am discounting all arguments regarding having to use windows or any OS by
> > neccessity. If the app you need is only for one OS, you use that OS
> > regardless of if it is great or a peice of crap).
>
> I heard my que.. I for one am a poly-OS.. My "production" machine
> runs windows 98, but it also dual boots linux. I also have a Mac
> (well the one I have now is **slow** but I have one) to use.
>
> The things my w98 does, it does well. There are games I like I
> can't play anywhere else (rollercoaster tycoon...)
>
> Linux - good for learning stuff, playing games, and programming to
> the shell (c mostly)
>
> Mac - Would prefer for "art" stuff, this one is too slow for much
> though
>
>
Received on Mon May 06 2002 - 00:30:52 BST