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Time Digital's Technology Predictions for 2000

Posted by Roblimo on from the punditry-runs-amok dept.

MAXOMENOS writes "Time Digital has a list of digital technology predictions for the year 2000. Among the more interesting ones: so-called '.com' businesses fade from the limelight, Linux shifts emphasis from the server and the desktop to embedded systems, and the IPO craze moves from Web-based retailers to something else. Check it out."

1 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. Linux and embedded systems by Hrunting · · Score: 4

    I don't really agree with the idea of Linux in embedded systems. I think it makes much more sense to develop an OS for embedded systems that starts small and stays small rather than trying to adapt a much larger system for a smaller one.

    Where I think Linux will really shine is in educational systems. Computers are just now becoming what can truly be considered necessary for childhood education. Schools, I think, will find that Linux boxes serve as much better educational tools because they are very cheap, they last a long time, they allow for scalability of education (GUI environment for kiddies, good development environment for upper-age CS students), and it gives a much better understanding of how the technologies work which is what kids will need to know to compete in the marketplace. One of the downsides to Windows' efforts to simplify the desktop environment is that you can't learn as much as easily (not to mention the price skyrockets). Apple's already way to expensive for what it's worth (which is really the easy-to-use environment for the kiddies of which there are already several for Linux).

    I see Linux making a much bigger impact where financial considerations are key. Open-source software is about providing software so people don't have to pay for it, and that's exactly what schools need. If this happens, I think their desktop 'sliver' will become much bigger and Linux will gain a stronger foothold in the home (I've already had one CS class in college that required you to setup a Debian system).

    I think if Linux concentrates too much on developing for too many different types of platforms, they'll end up bloating themselves. It's doing several things good right now, but other packages do embedded systems better and embedded systems should be developed as such.

    Just US$0.02. Feel free to disagree.