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What Is The Most Popular OS in the World?

Roland Piquepaille writes "If your answer is Windows, you're plain wrong. It's ITRON, a Japanese real-time OS kernel that can be customized for any small-scale embedded systems. According to LinuxInsider.com, it is used by more than 3 billion microprocessors found in mobile phones, digital cameras, CD players and many other electronic devices including even satellites. The article looks at the competition in this market, notably RTLinux, the real-time version of Linux, and T-Linux, an environment for running middleware. This last effort could lead to the eTRON chip, an encryption device that offers secure data transfer across wireless networks and the Internet. One thing is sure for this market: the future is definitively open-source. This overview contains more details and external references."

215 comments

  1. Featured on SlashDot before by Mwongozi · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here and here.

    1. Re:Featured on SlashDot before by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why did this guy get redundant? As far as I can tell he was the first to post this fact. He beat me and even provided the links.

    2. Re:Featured on SlashDot before by jea6 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      What a moron moderator. Maybe he thinks this is K5 and he was trying to mod the STORY as REDUNDANT. First, there's a shortage of moderator points, second, they get wasted.

      Anybody want to know what the perfect solution for dupes is (since my suggestion for re-categorizing outed dupes has not been considered)? Just filter all of Timothy's stories. I don't think he actually reads Slashdot.

      --

      sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
    3. Re:Featured on SlashDot before by zxm · · Score: 1

      This surprised me. Before I thought that it's a strange phenomenon that there are several companies such as Sang Sung, Motorola ... which has developed and shipped their own linux'ed mobile-phones, but none of them are Japan company. Oh, I see, they use ITRON!

      --
      -- forgive me my poor Engl...
  2. Cute. by echucker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Change the rules to suit the propaganda. When people are talking about OS', 99.44% of the time they're referring to PCs. Is it so hard to admit that Windows has huge marketshare simply because it's what has been put in front of the end user?

    1. Re:Cute. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's only the end result; the real reason is that Microsoft has been selling a product it doesn't have yet since the very beginning. In some cases they never do deliver the product originally promised.

      If you have good BS'ers, nobody can out-develop you in the vaporware world!

    2. Re:Cute. by DrEldarion · · Score: 4, Insightful

      ... and then you have to take into account the fact that they use the words "most popular" when practically nobody has even heard of it. Most used, sure, but isn't a requriement for popularity having people actually know about it?

      -- Dr. Eldarion --

    3. Re:Cute. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "isn't a requriement for popularity having people actually know about it?"

      Hmm, that's slippery. If "popular" requires that people know about it, it should also require that people like it. Charles Manson isn't popular. Windows still wins, but 95% popular it ain't.

    4. Re:Cute. by tambo · · Score: 1

      You're right, and that's the fatal flaw with the posted article.

      When people interact with a computer, they're interacting with the OS. In fact, it's the single most distinguishing feature to most users.

      When people interact with a microwave or iPod, they're interacting with the device. They don't care about its software; they just wanna nuke their burrito and play Britney Spears. They don't much care about the embedded software - if you swapped out the OS and added another, they'd might notice that something was different, but it would end there.

      - David Stein

      --
      Computer over. Virus = very yes.
    5. Re:Cute. by AsparagusChallenge · · Score: 2, Interesting

      When people interact with a computer, they're interacting with the OS

      Actually the OS interacts with the programs; the programs interact then with people. People never interact with the OS.

      Which lead us to: the OS with W is not really "popular" (in the sense of "Accepted by or prevalent among the people in general"), but user level applications built upon it are; with your "they just wanna nuke their burrito" you're completely right just in the same sense. ITRON can then be the "most popular" for the people that matters: the ones that implement application for the OS.

    6. Re:Cute. by iamwahoo2 · · Score: 1
      Change the rules to suit the propaganda. When people are talking about OS', 99.44% of the time they're referring to PCs. Is it so hard to admit that Windows has huge marketshare simply because it's what has been put in front of the end user?

      Uh, it looks like you said this in reply to the original post and I feel to see the propoganda either for or against any of the OS developers. Neither the slashdot or the articles promote ITRON or bash Windows.

      I for one, had not knowledge of what is running on these devices, and now I am a smarter person because of this. This slashdot and article is clearly intended for that very purpose. It assumes that most people are not aware of the different embedded OSes on their electronic devices, it then informs them of the most popular of these OSes. Of course, maybe you think it would all be better off if we remained ignorant of these facts, in which case, I suggest you find a less technology oriented news/information website. Maybe news.yahoo.com or whatever news feature AOL offers.

      What is obvious is that the only one here with an agenda is you, who is jumping at the oppurtunity to take cheap shots at the majority of the slashdot crowd, which in general is not a fan of Windows.

    7. Re:Cute. by Flywheel · · Score: 1

      And 99.44% of the people referring pa PC's is referring to IBM PC's - which actually is not quite the same.

      --
      Live long and prosper...
    8. Re:Cute. by iamwahoo2 · · Score: 1

      I am sure the author would apologize for informing people that there is more to OSes than what is on a PC. It just goes to show how cautious you have to be when logging on to AOL and surfing the net. Careful, you might soon end up learning that the internet and the world wide web are not one in the same.

    9. Re:Cute. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When you use the device, you are accessing the OS through it's interface. That's the front end.

      When you use a keyboard you use windows.

      Seems to nme the only difference is that users know their using Windows. The goal of any OS should be to be transparent to the user. Users want to accomplish tasks not realize their using an OS.

    10. Re:Cute. by tambo · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually the OS interacts with the programs; the programs interact then with people. People never interact with the OS.

      From a CS perspective, you're correct - the OS is designed to manage resources and send program requests down to the microkernel/ISA level.

      But from the contemporary perspective, the OS is a much richer bundle. Technically, using the Start Menu, manipulating files and folders on your desktop, and navigating folders in Explorer = interactions with a "program"; so are printer daemons/print queues, network interfaces, and the Control Panel. Even cutting-and-pasting is technically interacting with the clipboard "program". But these programs are so tightly bound to the OS that it's difficult to imagine a workable modern OS without them. Ask any user on the street, even sophisticated ones, what "program" they're using in these cases, and they'll all say "Windows" (or OS/X, or whatever OS they're running.)

      If by "popular" you mean prolific, as does the author, then sure, ITRON and other embedded OS's are clear winners. But if by "popular" you mean user-recognizable - even software to which users may have developed an affinity - then I think Windows is still the OS of choice worldwide.

      (Note: I'm clearly not a Microsoft shill - a search on my username will reveal posts/responses uniformly bashing Microsoft for a dozen justified reasons.)

      - David Stein

      --
      Computer over. Virus = very yes.
    11. Re:Cute. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Clearly it's popular with companies producing embedded devices. Who said that "most popular" referred to popularity with end-users?

    12. Re:Cute. by cshark · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but by that token, you could say that Linux is far more popular than windows simply because it gets more press than Windows does.

      Funny this should come up.
      In regard to Linux popularity. Even if it were the most used operating system in the world, how would we know? It's not like we can get an accurate count of how many Linux boxes there are. Attempting to count the number of downloads doesn't work because one download can run on a thousand machines. The number of linux boxes shipped is tiny compared to the number in circulation.

      So I'll pose this question:
      How do we know that Linux isn't in wider circulation than Windows or Itron for that matter?

      --

      This signature has Super Cow Powers

    13. Re:Cute. by Ansiguy · · Score: 1

      The topic of discussoin doesn't say that in specific what should the OS run on? a pc or mobile device or whatever. So as a slashdotter I guess you should broaden your verizons. It could probably of many people's ignorance of the fact that "OS is required for many electronic devices like mobile phones, DVD players etc". Now that the ignorants have come to know about it, its hard to know digest the fact that Itron is the most widely used OS taken overall and not just PCs.
      Also, technically ;-) I would say that slashdot should have rephrased the topic as "Most used OS" as opposed to "Most popular".
      I wish Itron came out some kind of logo on every device it is on something like "Itron inside?!!?" which would make it definitely the most popular!!!

    14. Re:Cute. by cfuse · · Score: 1

      If it doesn't run Doom, Quake, et al. then I really don't care.

    15. Re:Cute. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      ... and then you have to take into account the fact that they use the words "most popular" when practically nobody has even heard of it. Most used, sure, but isn't a requriement for popularity having people actually know about it?

      In other news, the world's most popular CPU is the 8-bit Motorola 6805.

    16. Re:Cute. by cmacb · · Score: 1

      "When people interact with a microwave or iPod, they're interacting with the device. They don't care about its software; they just wanna nuke their burrito and play Britney Spears."

      Right. Let's hope that by the time all our devices are linked together transparently we are no longer using operating systems that will accidentally play their burrito and nuke Britney Spears.

  3. What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 0

    ITRON may be the most popular OS, but I know I'd rather be without this OS I've never heard of than Windows.

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    1. Re:What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Good for you, dipshit

    2. Re:What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by kfg · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Until, of course, nearly every electronic device that you own that uses computer logic (CD player, car, TV, possibly even your internet connection) stops working.

      You've probably never heard of every amino acid you need either while picking up that two litre bottle of Mountain Dew.

      You'd still regret their absence.

      KFG

    3. Re:What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by spitefulcrow · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I'd much rather be without Windows than without my SB4200 and router firmwares.

      --
      Sorry, my karma just ran over your dogma.
    4. Re:What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by Ansiguy · · Score: 1

      So your point is .....that if you haven't heard of it you can stay without it? I tend to laugh now..........my gosh............!!! sometimes i read jokes in slashdot!!! ya we need someone like this to keep us smiling.....

    5. Re:What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      So your point is .....that if you haven't heard of it you can stay without it? I tend to laugh now..........my gosh............!!! sometimes i read jokes in slashdot!!! ya we need someone like this to keep us smiling.....
      I don't even own a mobile, why would I want it?

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    6. Re:What Is The Most Popular OS in the World? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you use a regular phone? Do you ride cars / buses / trains? Do you have a microwave / CD player/ VCR / TV? Does your home / workplace have a thermostat? Do you order pizzas? A few of the things you might be doing, and be a first or secondhand beneficiary of embedded systems as a results

  4. redundant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think this OS has been discussed many times before on slashdot

  5. SUPPORT MY JAP TENTACLE RAPE MOVIES! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  6. This is illegal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It seems ITRON has an unfair monopoly on this market and needs to be subject to more government regulatory policies. We cannot allow unfair business practices to be used by open source software providers to lock out those companies producing closed source software. I plan on writing to my Congressmen and request that action be taken so that Microsoft has a fair chance in this market. I encouracge you all to do the same. After all, it's crucial that we take the necessary steps to protect the freedom of choice in operating systems.

    1. Re:This is illegal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not sure if you are trying to be sarcastic, but it sounds like a good idea to me.

    2. Re:This is illegal by mabinogi · · Score: 1

      you know, there's nothing wrong with _having_ a monopoly, it's how you behave once you have one that's the issue

      --
      Advanced users are users too!
  7. The future. by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

    Pretty soon everything you buy that needs to be plugged in will have one of these things in it (running Linux of course) and every Slashdot nerd's dream will have finally come true - Linux running on EVERYTHING.

    -- Dr. Eldarion --

    1. Re:The future. by Timesprout · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why will it be linux? From the article it appears ITRON has several considerable advantages over its competitors (I'm not sure how they can really be called competitors when ITRON is so dominant). It was designed for this purpose from the ground up and its opensource. With 3 Billion installs there cant be a whole lot wrong with it. Linux is not the be all and end all of operating systems.

      --
      Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
      What truth?
      There is no dupe
    2. Re:The future. by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

      Fron what you read here it sure seems like it.

    3. Re:The future. by Lord_Slepnir · · Score: 5, Funny
      Linux is not the be all and end all of operating systems

      Blasphemy! Say 5 Hail Linus' and kiss the holy penguin!

    4. Re:The future. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That would be a sad day indeed.

      I don't want to see Linux on everything, I just want to see more options to end users and diverse systems.

      BSD / Linux / Windows / Mac / Etc ... they all have their places.

    5. Re:The future. by VistaBoy · · Score: 1

      "This isn't yet the "mother of all operating systems", and anyone who
      hoped for that will have to wait for the first real release (1.0)" - Linus Torvalds, in his readme for the very first Linux kernel

  8. 'most popular'? by m0rphin3 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Is something 'most popular' when people don't even know it exists? Or if there even is a choice?

    It's like saying water is the 'most popular soft-drink' in the world..

    --
    for great justice
    1. Re:'most popular'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's actually pretty accurate; TRON is so minimal it can barely be called an OS...just a standardized way of writing a tiny task scheduler.

    2. Re:'most popular'? by wud · · Score: 0

      ::Is something 'most popular' when people don't even know it exists?:: good point, it should read most used...

      --
      wud
    3. Re:'most popular'? by localghost · · Score: 1

      By the same argument, is Windows the most popular PC operating system? Most people didn't choose to use it, it was put in front of them. But pretty much anyone who uses Linux made a choice to use it, any many more of the people who use MacOS made a choice than did Windows users.

    4. Re:'most popular'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's like saying water is the 'most popular soft-drink' in the world..

      I'm gonna guess, water IS the 'most popular soft-drink' in the world.

      I don't get the analogy. People know about water, most people have some choice.

    5. Re:'most popular'? by m0rphin3 · · Score: 1

      Most people in the world don't have a choice.

      --
      for great justice
  9. ITRON belief by jackb_guppy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does it believe in the USER?

    And now there is eTRON is coming... Looks like he has been incorporated in the MCP!

    1. Re:ITRON belief by Gates_throws_tantrum · · Score: 1

      I, for one, welcome our new eTRON overlords.

      --
      Free Iran
    2. Re:ITRON belief by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "That's WINDOWS, he fights the users."

    3. Re:ITRON belief by InfoVore · · Score: 1
      Does it believe in the USER?

      He must, because:
      "That's TRON. He fights for the Users."
      --
      "These laws they're passing won't even compile anymore, let alone execute." - anon
    4. Re:ITRON belief by zebs · · Score: 1

      A Simpsons quote per-chance?

    5. Re:ITRON belief by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, really??

    6. Re:ITRON belief by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords" -- Kent Brockman

      [1F13] Deep Space Homer

  10. You lie! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You lie! Windows is the most popular operating system in the world! It has sold uh, a GAZILLION copies in all its incarnations! Now, bow down and give mad props to our esteemed leader, Bill Gates! Bill Gates is good. Bill Gates is benevolent. Bill Gates, will you be my friend and mentor?!

    1. Re:You lie! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ya. well known OS is Windows.

      ITRON is only Embbeded Use Only.
      JTRON can execute Java binary
      (i think it's based ITRON).
      CTRON is used telephone switch boards.
      BTRON(Desktop PC OS) isn't well known.
      BTRON was drived away by Super 301 clause of the Omnibus Trade Act.

      TRON hasn't Open source version.
      But SPEC is Opened@and you can get it.
      Everyone can create and use TRON based OS freely.

  11. Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by segmond · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...because the users are ignorant of the underlying OS, thus tron is not the most popular OS but the most widely deployed OS. With that said, this is a duplicate article from the past, and I am sick of slashdot insulting our intelligence with stupid sensational headlines.

    --
    ------ Curiosity killed the cat. {satisfaction brought it back | it didn't die ignorant | lack of it is killing mankind
    1. Re:Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am sick of slashdot insulting our intelligence with stupid sensational headlines.

      Fortunately, you don't have anything to worry about on that score...

    2. Re:Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by Mwongozi · · Score: 1

      Most popular for who?

      Most popular for computer equipment manufacturers...

    3. Re:Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ignorant People use windows... what's your point?

      How can it be an insult to your intelligence? Did it imply that YOU personally didn't know it? Did it cause you to think?

      Did it cause you to post drivvel on /. ? Ok, I guess it did Dis your IQ then! Solution Stop reading /. play solitare, then your intelligence will not be insulted ever again.

    4. Re:Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by ShadeARG · · Score: 1

      Have you noticed a pattern yet? Most of the editors do not check out the articles--much less proof them--when they are submitted. A sensationalist headline is more likely to get the attention of an editor more than a non-sensationalist one. Hence the the comments about important unnoticed stories that were never accepted that get modded up, simply because the headline didn't excite the editor enough to check it out.

    5. Re:Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To be fair, the editors are just following a pattern set by their readership of blind ignorance and adulation.

    6. Re:Most used DOES NOT equate to most popular here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If being ignorant of someone prevents it from being popular, windows easily becomes much less "popular" than we all think.

  12. eTRON in French... by jalet · · Score: 2, Funny

    > This last effort could lead to the eTRON chip

    etron in French means shit.

    reading the article is more funny now, isn't it ?

    --
    Votez ecolo : Chiez dans l'urne !
    1. Re:eTRON in French... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When I saw this comment I thought it was written in jest - so I grabbed my Larousse dictionary (the hard cover) and there it was - turd. (the 'e' is accented so the Google translation won't work). I'm going back to the article to read it again.

    2. Re:eTRON in French... by BorgCopyeditor · · Score: 0, Troll
      etron in French means shit.

      Good catch, though "turd" might be better. Here's a poem about a fatal turd, from the Google cache: l'etron fatale de Luis Alfredo

      --
      Shop as usual. And avoid panic buying.
    3. Re:eTRON in French... by jalet · · Score: 1

      Really great novel !

      Thanks for the link.

      --
      Votez ecolo : Chiez dans l'urne !
    4. Re:eTRON in French... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... also, "Bush" means genital hair in ... American's english!

    5. Re:eTRON in French... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Heheh, that's right. With names like president Bush, and vice president Dick, jokes are almost too easy to make. :-P

  13. Beat a dead horse by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    How many times do we have to beat the Itron horse?

    Ya..its the most common.. ya.. its opensource.. ya he got screwd my microsoft... bla bla bla

    But we have heard this before, many times...

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Beat a dead horse by night_flyer · · Score: 1

      Timothy's on a crusade, obviously

      --


      Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
      Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
    2. Re:Beat a dead horse by IversenX · · Score: 0, Troll

      In Soviet Russia, new horse-beating overlords welcome, for one, YOU!

      --
      With great numbers come great responsibility!
    3. Re:Beat a dead horse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Didn't he post the QNX articles a while back?

    4. Re:Beat a dead horse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, please. If this was Linu[sx] you two would be foaming at the mouth.

      Fuck 'em both, and you two, too.

  14. this could be dangerous by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    people could get sucked into these devices and forced to play weird games to the death by the evil dudes inside their computers...

    On the other hand, I would like to try a light-cycle so maybe I will take off my tin-foil hat and buy a mobile...

  15. MOD DOWN PLEASE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sir Haxalot is known troll/karma whore, please mod down, thank you.

  16. RTLinux limitations by gatzke · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Did anyone read the part about RTLinux limitations:

    "RTLinux switches tasks in milliseconds, while ITRON switches tasks in microseconds," he said. "RTLinux' footprint is measured in megabytes; ITRON is measured in kilobytes."

    Funny to see someone call a Linux version bloated and slow...

    1. Re:RTLinux limitations by sql*kitten · · Score: 1

      Funny to see someone call a Linux version bloated and slow...

      You've never used Red Hat, then...

    2. Re:RTLinux limitations by JamesP · · Score: 1

      Yes, but you can't run Netscape on it...
      Or KDE

      Geez, not even Windows Media Player...

      --
      how long until /. fixes commenting on Chrome?
    3. Re:RTLinux limitations by yodaiken@fsmlabs.com · · Score: 3, Informative

      RTLinux switches tasks in microseconds - and not many microseconds.

    4. Re:RTLinux limitations by iangoldby · · Score: 1

      Real-time OSs are a different world though. It's horses for courses. If you want a desktop machine, you don't need real-time but you probably do want lots services that a bare-bones RT-OS wouldn't supply.

      Fast context switches in Linux would be nice, but without knowing much about it (and that's never stopped anyone here), I'd be surprised if there was no trade-off required to get that kind of speed.

  17. MOD PARENT DOWN by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess you're Mwongozi right? we read /. everyday, no need to provide links to /. stories everytime something new happens.

    1. Re:MOD PARENT DOWN by Mwongozi · · Score: 1

      No, that wasn't me. I can't prove it, but there you go.

    2. Re:MOD PARENT DOWN by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I guess you're Mwongozi right?

      No...

      and you shouldn't pretend you know what your saying...

      and the links are very useful considering a search of itron doesn't bring them up...

      and some people don't read slashdot everyday...

      and nothing new happened.

  18. Re:WHO PAYS LINUS SALARY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hear he shares a commune stipend with RMS.

  19. misleading (?) by scorilo · · Score: 1

    This may be OT, but I guess it all boils down to how you define popular. If you consider popular as "regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public", then this rather obscure OS is not the answer, but neither is Windoze, 'cause most people don't usually make this choice, it just comes with their computers, by default. If, however, you take Webster's 6th definition ("Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [Obs.] --Johnson."), then... :)

    --
    "One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that ones work is terribly important." -BRussell
  20. DUPE!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    dupe, fuckers. dupe.

  21. Windows. Pah. by headkase · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Why not try Linux? Test the waters with the Knoppix Live CD (Boots off of the CD and run's completely from RAM) and if you like it move up to a beginner distribution (install wise) like Mandrake or SuSE. I've been on Linux a couple weeks now it's been mostly an easy switch with only a few text files edited by hand. Linux does everything I need. Give Linux a try - with it's wide variety of free software I think it would suit your needs too.

    --
    Shh.
  22. see you in court by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    so far it seem big biz is just taking Linux and stealing it for their own projects, i have heard countless reports of companies just taking it , modifying it and not releasing the source back again, because no one individual is responsible for Linux there is no-one to file suit (or has the cash for a team of lawyers) Cisco and Linksys have adopted this strategy (and iam sure everyone else is too), FSF cannot and has not the funds to sue everyone and the legaliity of the GPL has never been tested, until then companies will just keep taking and not giving rather taking the risk of being sued than give the source back

  23. WELL THE EDS DONT!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you stupid fucker.

    apparently some fucks don't read /. every day...you stupid cunt.

  24. Re:500 Internal Server Error by Doomrat · · Score: 1

    Have you ever tried dying of cancer?

  25. Confusing popular with install base... by Genjurosan · · Score: 1

    Just because something is installed on a device, then mass manufactured does not equate to the status of most popular. Most installed, most used, etc... yes. Most Popular, no.

    Just trying to keep it clear.

    1. Re:Confusing popular with install base... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then new computers shipped with OEM Windows installed does not contribute to making Windows the most popular OS ? Well ?

      Besides, do you really expect Joe User to want or need to know what hides inside ? People use computers to do things, not to run programs.

    2. Re:Confusing popular with install base... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just because something is installed on a device...

      Oh, you mean like when an OS is pre-installed on a PC? Like, when I have no choice as to which OS is put on the laptop that I want? Even though when I get home the first thing I'm going to do is wipe it off and install the one I want?

  26. Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Snaller · · Score: 1

    ..not when the engineer choose it for them.

    --
    If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    1. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Simon+Lyngshede · · Score: 1

      Most people didn't choose Windows, it's just what came with the box. Most people on Slashdot are aware that you can choose to install another OS, but this is hardly the case for around 90% of the rest of the world (Note; I made up the 90%).

      That said I don't think that just because an OS is the most used is that same as being the most popular.

    2. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most people didn't choose Windows, it's just what came with the box. Most people on Slashdot are aware that you can choose to install another OS, but this is hardly the case for around 90% of the rest of the world (Note; I made up the 90%).

      Yeah, and you made up most of the argument too. They choose to purchase a windows box. Nobody wants to fuck aroud with linux. If the shit worked, that would be one thing. But who the fuck has an afternoon to spend getting a TrueMobile 1150 card to work like an orinoco gold card? And why should anyone bother? I can pirate windows pretty easily. XP too. Cost is not an issue.

    3. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by danny256 · · Score: 1

      I think the market does choose Windows PCs. Clearly a linux PC could be sold for hundreds less, and people would buy it if it was as good as windows. But this dosn't happen, because linux is too hard to use for most people. And don't tell me about how the computer makers are in Microsoft's pocket, any small computer store could buy the parts and make linux PCs, but they don't because very few people will buy them. You may say that most people don't choose, but that is just the fault of Linux for not being a legitimate choice.

    4. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 1

      chosen by more engineers, for more products.... wouldn't that count as popular?

      --
      Engineering is the art of compromise.
    5. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Snaller · · Score: 1

      I'd say that most people don't choose, but that is because they don't know (as you say) about OS. They don't know that there is something called an OS, they think windows is something that is in all computers.

      And yes, Linux is too confusing and difficult - most people want to start the car and go, they don't want to be forced to be able to take the car apart and put it back together again, which seems to be pretty much the case with Linux (just you try asking for help ;)

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    6. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Snaller · · Score: 1

      Weeel, I'll give you half a point for that, though that presupposes that they chose it because they really love it, not because that is what was available, or cheapest :)

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    7. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Engineers are people...

      usually.

    8. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 1
      it presupposes that they chose it because they really love it, not because that is what was available, or cheapest

      First up, what makes a girl "popular". Love does not even make the top ten! Easy, available and one-beer-woman. I don't get your point.

      Tron is popular in Japan because: 1)All the universities train up them puppies to use it. 2)All the microprocessor vendors sell/give away a TRON library (try sell a micro in Japan that is not TRON-capable).. 3) A rich library of TRON services. 4) It is a specification, not an OS therefore there are very few IP entanglements.

      --
      Engineering is the art of compromise.
    9. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Trepalium · · Score: 1
      It really doesn't matter if Linux was more difficult or easier to use than Windows. These days, people don't buy Windows because it's easy to use. They buy Windows because everyone else uses Windows, and all the programs they might want to use are made for Windows. If ease of use was the only factor, you'd think Mac's would be all the rage. The fact of the matter is, most people would have trouble using their computer, be it Macintosh, Windows or Linux. Computers are complex devices, and not all complexity can be hidden from the novice user.

      You might think that something as simple as installing a new program from CD would be something that the average user could accomplish. The reality is, most users are scared of that, and won't do it. Even the "Compact, Normal, Full, or Custom" install choice is enough to stop many people. After all, how do they know which type of install they're going to need, and how do they change it if they choose wrong now? One might even say that software installation on Linux is MORE user friendly. There's just a blackbox RPM (or .deb) that does its thing when you choose to install it, but instead we have people trying to bring the Windows installation method to Linux, all the while claiming it's more user friendly (when it's only user familiar).

      --
      I used up all my sick days, so I'm calling in dead.
    10. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by Snaller · · Score: 1

      Easy and available wouldn't quality a girl for my top ten list :)

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    11. Re:Popular, is when people choose the OS.... by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 1

      Nor mine, but when we're talking pupularity we have to consider the unwashed masses.

      --
      Engineering is the art of compromise.
  27. creator's planet/population rescue initiative.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    & newclear power plans, rated #1 by pateNTdead eyecon0meter.

    with over 8 billion processors running on this system, it is by far the most widely used/popular in the wwuniverse. no contest there.

    this stuff is unbreakable, & works on several (more than 3) dimensions. best of all, you don't need any fancIE gadgets to boot up/log on.

    the daze of the phonIE payper liesense corepirate nazi stock markup fraud execrable is WANing into coolapps/the abyss, at the speed of right. not much secure IT to be had with those fauxking foulcurrs.

    the pateNTdead eyecon0meter kode has been used extensibly, in helping to eXPose many of the ?pr? ?firm? hypenosys fallicIEs surrounding the efforts of the felonious billyonerrors softwar gangsters to mask their greed/fear/ego based misdeeds, & ongoing frauduleNT behaviours. talk about high rpm spin0lah?

    still much to be done. see you there.

    consult with/trust in yOUR creator regarding decisions of the heart/mind/wallet. that's the spirit, moving you.

    for each of the creator's innocents harmed, there is a badtoll that must/will be repaid by you/US, as the aforementioned perpetraitors of the life0cide against the planet/population, will not be available to make reparations.

    get ready to see the light. there's no going back, & no where to hide.

  28. Popular is a misleading word... by httpamphibio.us · · Score: 2, Insightful

    TRON is obviously the most populous in terms of all electronic devices there are. In terms of PCs, which is what OS typically refers to, Windows would be the most populous, but in terms of popularity that could go two ways. If you are defining popularity as "suited to the means of the majority" or "frequently encountered or widely accepted" that would obviously be Windows. But, if you define popularity as "commonly liked or approved" that would be Linux for the simple reason that the Linux community is much more vociferous about their passion for the OS than Windows users are. Most Windows users use the OS by default and no because they prefer it to other systems.

    --
    sig.
    1. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by Biff98 · · Score: 1

      Not necessarily...

      Apparently (at least) thousands of (huge) companies have chosen TRON as their OS of choice. Populous and popular are essentially the same thing. I mean, how does something get to be populous -- generally by being the popular choice or prefence.

      If Linux is truly more popular, wouldn't it stand that 5 or so years down the road that Linux will have replaced TRON in these applications?

    2. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 1

      Are you trying to say that there is not a portion of the population who rabidly supports Windows? 'Cause if so, you're wrong. Just because Linux zealots outnumber Windows zealots on Slashdot doesn't mean that the Windows zealots are fewer in numbers.

      The majority of Windows users may be nontechnical, but there are plenty who do care about their OS. No way is Linux more "popular," except maybe among a specifically selected crowd.

      --

      How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
    3. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      Maybe I'm just sheltered, but I don't see very many Window's User Groups sprouting up around the world.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    4. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 1

      Perhaps this will help you get started. (Of course, the term "Windows User Group" isn't as commonly used as its Linux counterpart, but most "computer groups" fall into the category of Windows users' groups anyway.)

      --

      How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
    5. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      the term "Windows User Group" isn't as commonly used as its Linux counterpart

      You bet, that same search with Linux substituted for Windows gets 130,000 hits, compared to 3,000. :)

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    6. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by loconet · · Score: 1

      " In terms of PCs, which is what OS typically refers to "

      Says who?

      --
      [alk]
    7. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      Ulch - that meat was tainted! You feel deathly sick.

      Bedlam?? If I recall, you put the pill in the meat and gave it to the dogs, who then fell asleep and you could get out of the room.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
    8. Re:Popular is a misleading word... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 1

      Nethack, actually. Let that kobold corpse rot on the floor for a hundred turns, and when you come back to eat it you may get violently ill ...

      --

      How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  29. But It Is From FUCKING Japan, Damn It!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Anything by the Japs gets front page. The janitors are hardcore anime 'tards.

    1. Re:But It Is From FUCKING Japan, Damn It!!! by Ansiguy · · Score: 1

      What does it have to do if it is from Japan. All we need is technology rite? who cares who makes it!!!

  30. Is it an OS? by pe1chl · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to the ITRON page linked, it is an operating system specification, not an operating system.

    That would make it a competitor of Posix, instead of Linux.

    1. Re:Is it an OS? by romfffrom · · Score: 1

      I don't know where you got the message, but in its HP, it says "The ITRON Project creates standards for real-time operating systems used in embedded systems and for related specifications.".

      So it includes its OS as well as its related specification.

    2. Re:Is it an OS? by bitflip · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but a headline like that won't generate 500 comments, and who knows how many page views.

    3. Re:Is it an OS? by Jameth · · Score: 1

      Your quote agrees with the parent:

      "The ITRON Project creates standards for real-time operating systems used in embedded systems and for related specifications."

      All that says is that the project 'creates standards for real-time operating systems' not that it creates operating systems.

    4. Re:Is it an OS? by romfffrom · · Score: 1

      Well, the quate basically means it creates not-yet-customised OS.

      What you are saying is like Windows is not yet an OS, since it's not customise in a way I like.

    5. Re:Is it an OS? by Jameth · · Score: 1

      No, I'm not. Are you an idiot?

      I'm saying it makes standards. Like ISO makes standards. That's all that it says.

      Maybe it does make an OS, but that's not what that quote says.

    6. Re:Is it an OS? by eraserewind · · Score: 1
      It's a standard, however, here's an open souce implementation.

      TRON Web has received many requests for information about a royalty-free, open source TRON operating system. Such an operating system system does exist; it is a ITRON4.0-specification real-time kernel called "TOPPERS/JSP," which stands for "Toyohashi OPen Platform for Embedded Real-time Systems/Just Standard Profile." The source code, which runs on MS Windows-based machines among others, can be downloaded from the following link.

  31. Mama by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    When you're good to Mama, Mama's good to you

  32. A letter to Timothy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A few years ago, while browsing around the library downtown, I had to take a piss. As I entered the john a big beautiful all-American football hero type, about twenty five, came out of one of the booths. I stood at the urinal looking at him out of the corner of my eye as he washed his hands. He didn't once look at me. He was "straight" and married -- and in any case I was sure I wouldn't have a chance with him.
    As soon as he left I darted into the booth he'd vacated, hoping there might be a lingering smell of shit and even a seat still warm from his sturdy young ass. I found not only the smell but the shit itself. He'd forgotten to flush. And what a treasure he had left behind. Three or four beautiful specimens floated in the bowl. It apparently had been a fairly dry, constipated shit, for all were fat, stiff, and ruggedly textured. The real prize was a great feast of turd -- a nine inch gastrointestinal triumph as thick as a man's wrist. I knelt before the bowl, inhaling the rich brown fragrance and wondered if I should obey the impulse building up inside me. I'd always been a heavy rimmer and had lapped up more than one little clump of shit, but that had been just an inevitable part of eating ass and not an end in itself.

    Of course I'd had jerkoff fantasies of devouring great loads of it (what rimmer hasn't), but I had never done it. Now, here I was, confronted with the most beautiful five-pound turd I'd ever feasted my eyes on, a sausage fit to star in any fantasy and one I knew to have been hatched from the asshole of the world's handsomest young stud. Why not? I plucked it from the bowl, holding it with both hands to keep it from breaking. I lifted it to my nose.

    It smelled like rich, ripe limburger (horrid, but thrilling), yet had the consistency of cheddar. What is cheese anyway but milk turning to shit without the benefit of a digestive tract? I gave it a lick and found that it tasted better then it smelled. I've found since then that shit nearly almost does..

    I hesitated no longer. I shoved the fucking thing as far into my mouth as I could get it and sucked on it like a big brown cock, beating my meat like a madman. I wanted to completely engulf it and bit off a large chunk, flooding my mouth with the intense, bittersweet flavor. To my delight I found that while the water in the bowl had chilled the outside of the turd, it was still warm inside. As I chewed I discovered that it was filled with hard little bits of something I soon identified as peanuts. He hadn't chewed them carefully and they'd passed through his body virtually unchanged. I ate it greedily, sending lump after peanutty lump sliding scratchily down my throat. My only regret was the donor of this feast wasn't there to wash it down with his piss.

    I soon reached a terrific climax. I caught my cum in the cupped palm of my hand and drank it down. Believe me, there is no more delightful combination of flavors than the hot sweetness of cum with the rich bitterness of shit. Afterwards I was sorry that I hadn't made it last longer.

    But then I realized that I still had a lot of fun in store for me. There was still a clutch of virile turds left in the bowl. I tenderly fished them out, rolled them into my hankercheif, and stashed them in my briefcase. In the week to come I found all kinds of ways to eat the shit without bolting it right down. Once eaten it's gone forever unless you want to filch it third hand out of your own asshole. Not an unreasonable recourse in moments of desperation or simple boredom.

    I stored the turds in the refrigerator when I was not using them but within a week they were all gone. The last one I held in my mouth without chewing, letting it slowly dissolve. I had liquid shit trickling down my throat for nearly four hours.. I must have had six orgasms in the process.

    I often think of that lovely young guy dropping solid gold out of his sweet, pink asshole every day, never knowing what joy it could, and at least once did, bring to a grateful shiteater.

  33. Re:500 Internal Server Error by corebreech · · Score: 1

    No, I haven't, Dumbrat, but these people have.

    Go on and give yourself a big pat on the back.

  34. boycott :) by apoch2001 · · Score: 1

    Perhaps it's time for us to Boycott this iTron and deem it the evil OS of the mobile world. Guess it doens't matter... if Microsoft has its way, iTron will go the way of Netscape, Word Perfect, and my favorite, OS/2.

  35. More importantly by fleener · · Score: 1

    More importantly, this isn't a popularity contest. Anyone who thinks open source will win out hasn't be put to task by our corporate overlords and their flying monkey politicians.

  36. It's more than that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sensational headlines for breaking news that I read everywhere else 48 hours ago. Slashdot is "Old News for Uneducated Nerds." If /. is your news source, you're sucking off the withered teat.

  37. The article is misguided by BillsPetMonkey · · Score: 1

    The TOPPERS/JSP kernel (in Japanese) is open source and is an implementation of the iTRON kernel. But iTRON will not be free or open source.

    --
    "It's not your information. It's information about you" - John Ford, Vice President, Equifax
  38. Popular != total number deployed... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Popular is something that's widely favoured, based on choice. While you could argue ITRON is popular amongst developers and vendors as an embedded OS, it certainly isn't the OS of choice for consumers who aren't all going out in droves demanding ITRON-powered phones.

    So, ITRON, the OS with the biggest market share (based on device numbers not revenue) in the world.

  39. Not a fair comparison by alexjlennon · · Score: 1

    Linux and TRON don't really play in the same space. You can embed Linux only so far...

    It'd be much more interesting if they'd brought in a comparison with eCos which is the natural alternative to TRON at a deeply embedded level.

    http://sources.redhat.com/ecos/

    Interestingly enough eCos has a TRON API implementation too.

  40. Is this a shock to anyone? by sielwolf · · Score: 1

    Doesn't it also turn out that some sort of ARM chip is the most widely used CPU... by like several scale factors?

    Of course I think this is all moot. It isn't like anyone is going to stick ITRON on their x86 and word process.

    --
    What is music when you despise all sound?
    1. Re:Is this a shock to anyone? by freeweed · · Score: 1

      Actually, I think some of the older chips like the z80 or 8088 might still be the most sold CPU.

      My Comp Architecture prof came up with some numbers, and 8 bit CPUs have almost 90% of the market (or something insanely high, anyway). IIRC, 32 bit processors are well under 1%.

      Of course, when you consider that for every (pentium/athlon/whatever) CPU sold, a typical PC comes with sometimes dozens of other CPUs these days, and that's just the PC market... add in a few billion embedded devices and it all adds up.

      --
      Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
  41. And if it Were Windows, by errxn · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Does anyone think for a second that this article would have been posted on /.?

    Umm, doubtful. /bias lives on!

    --
    In Soviet Russia, Chuck Norris will still kick your ass.
    1. Re:And if it Were Windows, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Does anyone think for a second that this article would have been posted on /.?

      No, because then it would be old news.

      Did you hear about ITRON before this?

      No?

      I thought so.

    2. Re:And if it Were Windows, by errxn · · Score: 1

      No, I didn't hear about ITRON before this, and I'm sure that the vast majority of other posters here haven't, either. That's beside the point. My point is that you can't trust a lot of what you read here because of all the political/religious/etc. BS (figuratively speaking, of course) that involves anything Microsoft.

      --
      In Soviet Russia, Chuck Norris will still kick your ass.
  42. Microsoft and TRON..... by 3seas · · Score: 1

    Yep, MS has there hand extended to embrace TRON.....

    And I believe I read a slashdot posted article where the US suppressed the evolution of TRON...... I'm sure MS is very grateful....

    1. Re:Microsoft and TRON..... by Ploum · · Score: 1

      Everybody know that OSes from Microsoft are just etron....

      (I don't know if the word etron exist in english, but in frensh it sounds very good :D )

  43. Windows NT, people! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Because it stands for "Nice Tits"

  44. more info by Angry+Black+Man · · Score: 1, Troll

    Pretty much any Japanese electronic musical instrument maker has used TRON. Yamaha keyboards run it, or derivatives of it, I've been told. That will change now though, with Yamaha's recent announcement that they'll be using Linux.

    I've followed TRON since I was a kid hacker in the early 80's, and have watched its use in the industry with eager anticipation of the day it becomes more widely known about in the tech sector.

    When Linux came into existence (I've been a Linux user since *day one* of its existence), I decided I need not stay current with TRON, which is a shame because I think a lot of the goals of TRON (E-TRON, actually, its supposed to be called) are achievable right now with Linux in the embedded world.

    If ever there was proof needed of just how destructive Microsoft has been for the computer industry, it is the fact that hardly anyone in the Western Tech sector (sillicon valley) knows about TRON and what this project was supposed to achieve... and, actually, still is capable of achieving... The project is based around shared source, completely open amongst competing hardware manufacturers.

    Embedded kernels running in every electronic device known to man, capable of talking to each other discretely and without human interaction, to create a sort of 'Boewulf cluster' of embedded systems capable of sharing loads and processing power.

    TRON was a kick ass project. And everything we've wanted to do with TRON, we can now do with Linux.
    [ Parent ]

    --
    the byproduct of years of oppression by the white man
  45. prolific and popular are not equal... by capsteve · · Score: 1

    fix the post title, man...
    most used os, perhaps, popular, no.
    popular denotes that the end user might have some choice in the matter, as far as deciding the OS to be used. prolific because a manufacturer predetermined for the end user.

    windows might be a pretty popular, but that's mostly because OEM's don't always have a choice of which operating system they can bundle... 90% of the worlds computers are using some redmond derivative operating system, but once again, probably not always by end user choice...

    mac os might be a popular choice, but it requires specific hardware... so using/purchasing the os is a much steeper entry point, however, to claim a user base(world wide) of 3-5% might be seen as being pretty popular...

    linux, bsd, and other un*x derivative might also be considered much more popular than itron... why? because the end user(s) chose to install it amongst other choices.

    --
    three can keep a secret, if two are dead - benjamin franklin
    1. Re:prolific and popular are not equal... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The end-users chose the end-product because it has certain qualities that are desirable. In theory, all components contribute to the end-product quality. Therefore, the end-user is choosing itron. The engineers chose itron. The marketing people chose itron.

      Don't say people don't have a choice, everyone has a choice.

  46. Know about it? by eMartin · · Score: 2

    Yeah, but just think of all of the Windows users who don't know what OS they are using, even though its name is shown on the screen every time the turn on their computers.

    1. Re:Know about it? by maxume · · Score: 0, Troll

      The only one I can think of is YOUR MOMMA!

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
    2. Re:Know about it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      BOFH: What operating system are you using?

      ID10T: What? How am I supposed to know that?

      BOFH: What does it say on the screen when you turn on the computer?

      ID10T: Oh, well in that case, my operating system is Fatal Error Exception 0E.

    3. Re:Know about it? by TooManyNames · · Score: 1
      It seems to be very common for /. users to consider most Windows users as some sort of inferior species.

      I have never been able to find a Windows user that didn't know that they were using Windows. While it is sometimes true that they might not know that Windows is an OS, they do know that they're using Windows for something. However, I don't think that this ignorance is a reason for constant criticizing. After all, many people don't need to know what an OS is and therefore don't care.

      --
      "Is not a sentence" is not a sentence. Well damn.
  47. "Popular" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    popular ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ppy-lr)
    adj.

    1. Widely liked or appreciated: a popular resort.
    2. Liked by acquaintances; sought after for company: "Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved" (Margaret Fuller).
    3. Of, representing, or carried on by the people at large: the popular vote.
    4. Fit for, adapted to, or reflecting the taste of the people at large: popular entertainment; popular science.
    5. Accepted by or prevalent among the people in general: a popular misunderstanding of the issue.
    6. Suited to or within the means of ordinary people: popular prices.
    7. Originating among the people: popular legend.

    I don't think any of these definitions of 'popular' fit ITRON at all.
    Nice try. Grow up and come back later.

    1. Re:"Popular" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      6. Suited to or within the means of ordinary people: popular prices.

      doesn't fit?

      5. Accepted by or prevalent among the people in general: a popular misunderstanding of the issue.

      I don't know how your gonna explain this doesn't fit.

      4. Fit for, adapted to, or reflecting the taste of the people at large: popular entertainment; popular science.

      As long as itron serves it's purpose than this fits.

  48. let's start from scratch! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    linux and windows and ... are a way to run away from TROn :)
    anyway i have never heard of it before ... so what.
    like we all know if the japanese invent something
    "new" they NEVER share it with anyone until they
    got something "newer".
    but they are really good at copying/cloneing existant
    technology. maybe because they are such a small country
    with no resources (protect their future)?

    anyway to hell with TROn. let's look ahead!

    START FROM SCRATCH! i REALLY REALLY feel like it!

    "i like to have a boyfriend, because my bed feels so cold alone.
    i like to have a cell phone, because my head feels so empty(/
    cold) alone." :)

  49. Common != Popular by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Windows is no more popular than having the flu or getting a traffic ticket.

    1. Re:Common != Popular by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      if you say so...

  50. Propaganda? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How is stating facts now propaganda?
    98% of all statistics are made up on the spot!
    " When people are talking about OS', 99.44% of the time they're referring to PCs. Is it so hard to admit that Windows has huge marketshare simply because it's what has been put in front of the end user?"

    Is it so hard to admit that ANY thing but a PC can have an operating system?

    It's not about your precious Windows. Sorry that he inferred that your pet software was not the most prolific. Get over it!

  51. FUD. by BillsPetMonkey · · Score: 1

    1. It's iTRON not eTRON. Read the Japanese version (and if you're really familiar with iTRON, I'm sure you'll be able to)

    2. iTRON is not free or open source. It's derivative JSP/TOPPERS Kernel is.

    Dear oh dear. Is it really this easy to get mod points on ./ these days?

    --
    "It's not your information. It's information about you" - John Ford, Vice President, Equifax
  52. iTRON by mobby_6kl · · Score: 0

    ITRON? huh?
    I had Tron 1.0 since mid-80s, ins't it obsolete now?
    and now I have Tron 2.0 which is even more interactive and has better GUI, so wtf?

  53. Re:WHO CARES WHO PAYS LINUS SALARY by Avihson · · Score: 1

    Where's the facts? Gimme Links, troll!

    But why would communists dirty their hands funding anyone? All good commies do it solely for the glorious revolution. They don't believe in the capitalist system!

    Now we have the filthy capitalist swine making an imoral profit from Free Stuff!
    Just look at Redhat, making a profit. Look at Suse, look at Mandrake... ok Scratch Mandrake they may have to learn what a the profit model looks like.
    I guess you think that we should have the filthy capitalist swine making an imoral profit from only Proprietary Stuff! What is the difference?

    Yes, I own stock in Redhat!

  54. It isn't even an OS (singular) by The+Monster · · Score: 2, Informative
    Page 20 of the iITRON4.0 specification says:
    The TRON Specifications define the interface of a computer, not the hardware or software it is founded on. It also defines the interface of the OS, but not the OS itself. . . .
    In this sense, *TRON is best described as a family of operating systems, more like Unix, which also has a published specification to which implementations must conform in order to earn the name.

    That having been said, it's also not really fair to call (GNU/)Linux 'an OS' - it's really a toolkit for building OSes. There is a huge variety of systems that are called Linux but can't run each other's programs without porting effort.

    And the same can be said for Windows - 9x, NT, Me, 2K, XP, CE (and server variants, including 2003) have annoying incompatibilities between them that preclude considering them the same OS.

    --

    [100% ISO 646 Compliant]
    SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.

    1. Re:It isn't even an OS (singular) by MrNerdHair · · Score: 1

      Of course the *TRON family is not a singular OS... that would be like saying that all POSIX-compliant OSes were one, or that all *NIXes are one. I can't count the differences between Linux and System V, for example. But the article speaks of iTRON, clearly an individual member of this family.

      However, GNU/Linux is an OS. The kernel is the OS, as the motherboard is the PC. The rest of the "OS" is made up of programs. The only sense in which Linux can be considered a "family" is the different kernel versions. Obviously, since the source code is open, people can compile modified, and perhaps incompatible, versions of the kernel, and in this sense it is a "family", but the Linux kernel is an OS in and of itself.

      Windows is a different story, however. 3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, 98SE, and Me are all different shells for the DOS kernel. NT (all versions), 2000, and XP all run on the NT kernel. (I do not know whether minor changes were made to the kernel between versions of NT or not.) Anyhow, the fragmentation and choice of a severely underpowered kernel for the major portion of the OS line are further reasons that Bill Gates is an idiot.

  55. 3 billion is chump change by LinuxInDallas · · Score: 1

    3 billion? So what? Linux as an embedded OS has only gained popularity in the last few years. What about all the other embedded RTOS's and OS's that have been around for years? They undoubtedly hold much more share.

  56. intelligence..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You don't have a fucking clue do you, much less intelligence. Most Used == Most Popular!

    Get that through your pointy head.

  57. ya but... by GerbilSocks · · Score: 0

    can the world's most populous OS run Photoshop????

  58. Screen shot? by Garrett+Combs · · Score: 1

    I don't see any screenshots on that website... *looks around*

    /sarcasm>

    --
    Insert witty Slashdot sig here.
    1. Re:Screen shot? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ITRON is used in car or mobile-phone or fax
      etc ...

  59. What is the most popular post on Slashdot? by hankaholic · · Score: 2, Informative

    Timothy writes "If your answer is Unique Stories, you're plain wrong. It's DUPES, a Canadian method of post generation that can be customized for any large-scale media systems. According to a popular geek news site, it is used by more than 300 story submissions each year. The article looks at the competition in this market, notably Michael, known for not even reading submissions before posting to the homepage. This last effort could lead to the eDUPE method, an encryption method that offers secure post submission across wireless networks and the Internet. One thing is sure for this market: the future is definitively open-source. This overview contains more details and external references.

    --
    Somebody get that guy an ambulance!
  60. Am I the only one? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Am I the only one who sees this as the most widely used OS in the world and not the most popular?

    I mean, popularity would indicate that most mainstream audiances understand who/what you are, while if your the most used few/none could care to think about you.

    That's like saying the most popular invention in the world is the zipper, because everyone has one.

    On basis of popularity I'd definitly say it's OS X, although I hate OS X, I'm not dumb enough to brush off it's popularity, windows following pretty close, with linux trailing further. Does this indicate which is used more, or even better? No, that's why we say it's popular, and not the best/most widely used.

    1. Re:Am I the only one? by Trejkaz · · Score: 1

      Not everyone has a zipper, though pretty much everyone has a light globe.

      --
      Karma: It's all a bunch of tree-huggin' hippy crap!
  61. eCos and RTEMS by Markus+Registrada · · Score: 1

    The Free competitors to iTRON are not RTLinux (and RTNetBSD) as the article (half fails to) point out. The competitors are eCos and RTEMS. The latter is clearly the more mature, but the former is arguably more modern in design. ECos hasn't the penetration that iTRON has achieved, but RTEMS is everywhere, and is equally invisible.

  62. An open-source ITRON system does not exist by Morgaine · · Score: 1

    If an open-source implementation of ITRON did exist, someone would have pulled the openly available sources off a Japanese server and we'd be playing with them right now.

    At best, there is an open specification of ITRON whereas all implementations are proprietary. Furthermore, even that "open" specification appears to be tied in with privileged access if you want to see anything resembling actual code APIs or architectural details at a finer level than boxes, lines and clouds. I guess that that stems from all implementations being closed.

    The possibility always remains that we simply don't see all the detailed material because of the language barrier, but there are more than enough cross-linguists in open-source ranks to have disabused us of that misapprehension by now.

    ITRON just doesn't actually appear to exist at all, in an open-source sense. The billions of instances burned into microcontroller chips are definitely not open.

    --
    "The question of whether machines can think is no more interesting than [] whether submarines can swim" - Dijkstra
    1. Re:An open-source ITRON system does not exist by Ben+Hutchings · · Score: 1
    2. Re:An open-source ITRON system does not exist by James+Lanfear · · Score: 1

      If an open-source implementation of ITRON did exist

      eCos and RTEMS both claim to support uITRON 3.0.

      Furthermore, even that "open" specification appears to be tied in with privileged access if you want to see anything resembling actual code APIs or architectural details at a finer level than boxes, lines and clouds.

      You mean this? The English version of the spec seems to adequately document the system; it's at least on par with your typically set of manpages. Considering that there's no actual system involved, some vagueness can be excused.

      The possibility always remains that we simply don't see all the detailed material because of the language barrier

      That does seem to be the case, regardless of what you may believe. I've been trying to gather information about TRON for some time, and have come across great heaps of documentation going back years, all unfortunately in Japanese.

  63. What about QNX? by Thelonious+Monk · · Score: 0

    Im surprised they dont mention QNX, when its comes to anything embedded. The japanese bullet train system runs QNX... uhhh..THATS ALL FOLKS!! QNX 4 LIFE!!!

  64. for(;;) by HermanAB · · Score: 1

    or its close cousin while(1) are far more common in embedded systems than itron. The infinite loop can't be beat for its simplicity and is therefore the most common scheduler on the planet.

    --
    Oh well, what the hell...
  65. Embedded by Dan+East · · Score: 1

    What about wrist watches? Most all Casio digital watches are probably derived from the same base "OS" (term used as loosely as in article). If so I'm sure there are billions of that "OS" in consumer devices as well.

    Dan East

    --
    Better known as 318230.
    1. Re:Embedded by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Highly unlikely any operating system is involved, no more so than a BIOS is. BIOS stands for something that you will have to look up for your self

  66. Most visible DOES NOT equate to most popular! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    This is plain silly. By your criteria, Windows would win by default. Why? Because of the marketing hype that M$ puts behind its Operating System. Most users wouldn't know that even the Mac has an OS.


    To put it another way, awareness doesn't equal popularity. An overwhelming majority of Americans are aware that George Bush is president. But a substantially lower number, perhaps even a minority, would want him to remain president. Maybe Windows is the most visible OS, but that doesn't make it the most popular one either.

  67. Re:WHO PAYS LINUS SALARY by updog · · Score: 1
    Yea, that's pretty funny.

    If someone really didn't know who pays his salary now, it's OSDL, a group of sponsors including IBM, Dell, HP, etc.

  68. WHO PAYS FOR YOUR LIFE SUPPORT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    after your brain death it would appear to be a waste of money

  69. But don't you have to *like* it too? by autopr0n · · Score: 1

    I mean, lots of people know who hitler is, but that dosn't make him "popular" :P

    Lots of people use windows and hate it. From memories of constant crashes in the 3.11/98 days to the constant security holes today windows users have lots of reasons to lothe the OS.

    I use windows because I'm a lazy bastard. I Recently switched to Mozilla when some Spyware got installed on my machine during a normal web-surfing session. I don't know if I accidentally clicked "yes" on something I should have, but who knows. AdAware didn't even find the file, and I had to look for references to new files in the registry to get rid of the shit (they called it win32.dll...)

    At some point, probably when win2k becomes obsolete I'll switch to Linux. But in the interim I'll use windows and bitch :P

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  70. Just checked my Apache logs... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0



    I just checked my Apache logs and no Itron. 98% Wind'ers. Here comes that falling tree in my forest.

  71. PLAGIARISM - MOD PARENT DOWN! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The above comment is a direct copy of this comment, posted by an entirely different author. Please mod parent down accordingly.

  72. 3 Billion, eh? by whatthef*ck · · Score: 1

    It may have been used in 3 billion devices like phones, CD players, etc. but how many of those devices are still in service? I've been through probably 6 cell phones over the last decade; all but one are in a landfill someplace.

    Even factoring that in, however, it's probably true that there are more instances of some embedded OS in operation than any single desktop or server OS, but that's an apples-to-oranges comparasion, IMO.

  73. What is the Most Popular Vehicle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you thought it was the Toyota Camry or Chevy S-10 you'd be wrong.

    It was the shoe!

    Billions of people buy shoes each year. Shoes are important. Everybody wants shoes, not everybody wants a Toyota Camry.

  74. I quit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've already seen an article about TRON *months* ago. For me, personally, I don't think I'll be reading slashdot again. Good bye, it's been quite nice whilst it lasted.

  75. eMCP by Zifnab32 · · Score: 1

    Sure, trust all your embedded devices to eTRON, but when the eMCP takes over, then you will be sorry.

  76. Re:Windows. Pah. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What about frogs? I like frogs!

    duh.

  77. What Is The Most UNpopular OS in the World? by ehartwell · · Score: 1

    Change the question slightly and you're guaranteed a unanimous answer!

    1. Re:What Is The Most UNpopular OS in the World? by surgeonsmate · · Score: 1

      Judging by sales figures?

  78. Apples and Pears by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There is a big difference between what is the most popular and what is used the most... maybe the question should be what is the least popular OS... the answer may be the same.

    Personaly i think Lisa was a hot name ;)

  79. is that the right question and answer? by kar5779 · · Score: 1

    1. the question should say "What Is The Most Popular Real Time OS in the World?" for the answer to be "ITRON". then i will not answer Windows and you wont have to tell me "If your answer is Windows, you're plain wrong."

    2. Windows is not a RTOS. so cant compare it with ITRON in the RTOS area.

    3. You have a choice as to what u want as ur OS on ur PC. but do u really have a choice when it comes to "mobile phones, digital cameras, CD players and many other electronic devices including even satellites." ???

    4. This article is one of many that just want to bash Windows just because everyone else is. If u want to bash Windows there are many valid points for that... dont make one up with a false headline.

    5. hey... i'm not here to carry the flag for Windows or for Linux. But there is no need to bash Windows on a false headline. So if you ask "What Is The Most Popular OS in the World?" and mean "popular" as in "chosen by users" then the answer is certainly Windows.

  80. Not sure that I agree: consider Xerox by leonbrooks · · Score: 1

    So often I get asked "...and what sort of Windows do you use?"

    Really, the word is being used as a synonym for OS, much like Xerox is used as a synonym for photocopier (and photocopying, if you're into verbing as much as the USA is), or Biro a synonym for ball-point pen (typically consistent for English, nobody says "biroing" to indicate writing with a ball-point pen).

    You have to ask given this how many really mean "Windows" and how many mean "OS" or even "software" in general.

    Imagine roads where 95% of all vehicles were Ladas. Think about how many people would refer to loading up the Lada for a holiday, or getting the Lada serviced, even if the were one of the few who drove a Peugeot.

    --
    Got time? Spend some of it coding or testing
    1. Re:Not sure that I agree: consider Xerox by kgbspy · · Score: 1

      Imagine roads where 95% of all vehicles were Ladas

      I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you...

      --
      ~
      ~
      ~
      -- INSERT --
    2. Re:Not sure that I agree: consider Xerox by Thing+1 · · Score: 1
      Imagine roads where 95% of all vehicles were Ladas. Think about how many people would refer to loading up the Lada for a holiday, or getting the Lada serviced, even if the were one of the few who drove a Peugeot.

      You made me consider the origin of words, and whether "car" came from a shortened version of "carriage", i.e., the horseless kind. (Also I saw Seabiscuit last night, it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. ;-)

      A search on the origin of the word shows it came from the Welsh "caer" meaning "fortified place", which describes many SUVs... And this one says (under archaic) it was "A chariot, carriage, or cart." Which makes a bit more sense, shortening "cart" by just dropping the "t"...



      I would argue that the most popular OS in the world is Linux or Unix in general, judging from how many people like using it as opposed to being "forced" to use Windows just because you can't buy an x86 PC with any other OS. Also judging from the usage in terms of servers (especially HTTP servers), Linux/BSD win hands down.

      --
      I feel fantastic, and I'm still alive.
  81. No, It Is From FECAL Japan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  82. According to the stats.. by Scooter · · Score: 1

    ..on my web site the most popular OS is one called "Unknown" which is used by 55.24% of visitors!

    http://www.muttsnutts.com/html/stats.php

    I'd be using it myself, but I'm waiting for Unknown 2 which has working USB support :)

  83. Don't forget Colin "Colon" Powell by yerricde · · Score: 1

    Chris Rock put it best:

    You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance,Germany doesn't want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named 'Bush', 'Dick', and 'Colon.' Need I say more?
    --
    Will I retire or break 10K?
  84. That second link shoudl read by leonbrooks · · Score: 1
    "TRON embraced by MCP"
    PROGRAM TERMINATED

    Message for the OSS afficiondos out there:

    GREETINGS, PROGRAMMER!
    YOU HAVE BEEN RECRUITED BY THE FREE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION
    TO DEFEND THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER
    AGAINST BILL AND THE MICROSOFT ARMADA.
    GET READY! PREPARE FOR BLAST-OFF!

    We will fight them in the 'fridges, we will fight them in the microwaves, we will fight them in the sprinkler systems and the traffic lights! We will never surrender! (-:

    --
    Got time? Spend some of it coding or testing
  85. If it's "open-sourced", where's the source-code ? by Taco+Cowboy · · Score: 1

    I've tried very hard to locate actual sourcecode of TRON, be it ITRON, BTRON or whatever "tron".

    Despite being publicly termed "open-sourced", the sourcecode of TRON is actually very hard to find.

    Can anyone here please point out to us where we can get the source code of TRON, so at least we can see how they achieve their "small footprint" and their "real" RTOS position, versus somebody's claim that RTLinux isn't a "real" RTOS.

    Thank you !

    --
    Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
  86. prolific by Glass+of+Water · · Score: 1

    You keep using that word -- I do not think it means, what you think it means.

    --
    There are no trolls. There are no trees out here.
  87. How about "none of the above?" by AnotherBlackHat · · Score: 1

    By far the most popular OS choice is "none", beating out all other OS choices more than 10 to 1.

    Sure there are a lot of phones, but there are a lot more VCRs, microwave ovens, toasters, printers, fax machines, street lights...
    The majority of the worlds electronic equipment runs on an embedded PC and has custom designed software written in the worlds most popular computer language - assembly.

    -- this is not a .sig

  88. Just wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sure, ITRON may be the most popular, but wait till SCO finds out.