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Andy Tanenbaum Releases Minix 3

Posted by Hemos on from the a-thousand-flowers-of-code-burst-forth dept.

Guillaume Pierre writes "Andy Tanenbaum announced the availability of the next version of the Minix operating system. "MINIX 3 is a new open-source operating system designed to be highly reliable and secure. This new OS is extremely small, with the part that runs in kernel mode under 4000 lines of executable code. The parts that run in user mode are divided into small modules, well insulated from one another. For example, each device driver runs as a separate user-mode process so a bug in a driver (by far the biggest source of bugs in any operating system), cannot bring down the entire OS. In fact, most of the time when a driver crashes it is automatically replaced without requiring any user intervention, without requiring rebooting, and without affecting running programs. These features, the tiny amount of kernel code, and other aspects greatly enhance system reliability."In case anyone wonders: yes, he still thinks that micro-kernels are more reliable than monolithic kernels ;-) Disclaimer: I am the chief architect of Globule, the experimental content-distribution network used to host www.minix3.org."

5 of 528 comments (clear)

  1. Phew by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now we can all switch over from Linux, at least until Hurd ships.

    *pummeling ensues*

    GNU/Hurd!! I meant GNU/Hurd!!!

  2. for those that don't know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In case you don't know, Andy was the professor who originally suggested to Linus that he create a kernel, and then provided all the support and positive encouragement that would obviously be needed to successfully complete such an undertaking. He knew from the outset that Linux was going to be a massive hit. He is truely one of Computer Science's great visionaries.

  3. Re:Thank you, Dr. Tanenbaum. by TrappedByMyself · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your contributions have been much appreciated.

    Yes, thank you. My sadistic operating systems professor used your textbook. Your name still gives me nightmares to this day.

    --

    Help me take back Slashdot. When did 'News for Nerds' become 'FUD and Conspiracy Theories for Extremist Nutjobs'?
  4. Tannenbaum still ahead! by Vo0k · · Score: 4, Funny

    See? It's Minix 3 already, while Linux is still in 2.x! ;)

    --
    Anagram("United States of America") == "Dine out, taste a Mac, fries"
  5. Globule? by Thuktun · · Score: 4, Funny

    Disclaimer: I am the chief architect of Globule, the experimental content-distribution network used to host www.minix3.org.

    Translation: "Please load-test my network."