was: 10 year rule // reliability

From: Tom Jennings <tomj_at_wps.com>
Date: Thu Nov 18 15:04:30 2004

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004, Joe R. wrote:

> >> I have yet to see an consumer OS that did not crash [...]
> > I've never had a crash on my three HP 200 LXs! I've never
> had a crash on my Rubicon CPM-86 system or either of my HP CPM
> systems. I never had a crash on any of the ISIS systems but I
> guess those aren't consumer systems.


It's funny what time will do.

In reading through old DDJs and BYTEs (1976) it occurred to me,
and was only slightly explicit at the time, that RELIABILITY
was the real issue.

CP/M-80 wasn't all that sophisticated at the time, in technology
terms, it's major advantage was that IT WAS EXCRUCIATINGLY
RELIABLE in an era that didn't know what that meant (mostly). It
was also appropriate technology; it was a decent subset that
fit on "most" (8080/Z80) machines. Very, very well chosen set
of parameters for a product.

There was so much vaporware (I know, I bought some of it!) at
the time it was practically normal; one of DDJ's major rants was
on ripoffs and reliability. Kildall's stuff, and Tom Pittman's,
were pleasant exceptions. There were many, but there was more
crap than good pound for pound in those early S100 days.
Received on Thu Nov 18 2004 - 15:04:30 GMT