WARNING: RANTING COMPUTER NUT...

From: David V. Corbin <dvcorbin_at_optonline.net>
Date: Tue Jun 15 06:25:28 2004

 
Fair warning, the following message contains the ratings of a single
individual.

>>>> Sounds like somebody grabbed the old machines when a school downgraded
their computer facilities to PCs...

As shown by the above quote, there is a strong anti "PeeCee" bias by many
here. While I completely agree that there are significant *problems* with
both the hardware and (Windoze) software, I do believe that the more extreme
views are off base.

Having been involved with computing since 1972, I have worked with nearly
all [non-mainframe] systems that are discussed on this board at some point.
Many of them had some very interesting, unique (and useful) features that
drove computer technology to the next level. I am currently involved in
attempting to restore a complete PDP-8 environment myself [with the dream of
actually getting a TSS-8 distribution running with TU-56 tape drives.

IF the computer industry had remained with a large number of completely
different hardware/software environments which required trained operators
for even the most basic operations, then computing would not have become a
household commodity. Even neglecting price, consider the concept of everyone
having a [fill in the machine of your choice] in their home, at school (even
at the lower grade levels or preschools!], and in all of the other locations
where it is common to find computer access.

Standardization of both hardware and software HAD TO HAPPEN, if computers
were to become the commodity they are today.

IBM/Intel had the technology, manpower, and finances to create a platform
that was (reasonably) affordable, and significantly exceeded the
capabilities of the current generation of "personal" computers.

Bill Gates had the opportunity to develop an operating system [MS-DOS] when
Digital Research decided not to agressively persue a new version of CP/M.
Once this was the dominant command line O/S, it was only logical that the
same company had the best chance to develop a GUI based interface once that
technology started to appear

Side Note: Many years ago I met Bill Gates and had the chance to speak
[along with a fairly large group] with him. Personally I do not like the
man's attitude towards many things, but I DO repsect his business sense and
drive [leaving the issue of ethics out of the discussion].

So does the PC Hardware Platform have some serious shortcomings? YES
Could a machine be build with significant technology advantages over a PC
architecture? YES
Does Windows have some real technology problems? DEFINITELY
Is the current pricing/licensing model out of line? DEPENDS IF YOU ARE A
VENDOR OR CUSTOMER <g>

Even with these issues, lets face the facts Windows/PC is going to be around
[and dominant] in most business and personal environments for a significant
period of time, unless something RADICAL happens on the technology level
[Bio-Neural-Networks come to mind]. So lets stop the bashing, and just LEARN
TO DEAL WITH IT!

We should [again my opinion] concentrate on what we can do best. Keep the
old technology alive for historical purposes. Prevent items from going to
the scrapper whenever possible. If a member finds an item that is aimed at
the scrapper, salvage it even if it is not part of their main focus [for
later trade/sale/barter], or find someone who can. Share whatever
documentation / software we currently have available [a special thanks to
Don Robert House is due at this point!], so that all may benefit.

I have an uncle who collects/restores old cars [1909 Sears, Stanley Steamer,
etc.] each of these cars had some fascinating and innovative features for
their day. Although he does complain about many features of the current
state of the automotive industry, he never suggests that we should go back
to the old way of doing things. Rather the focus is on how things can move
forward, addressing current problems and making the best use of new
technology. Aside from the Auto/Computer difference I think that our group
and his are basically identical.

<END OF RANT>
Hopefully my next post will be more on a specific topic......
Received on Tue Jun 15 2004 - 06:25:28 BST