Tanenbaum-Torvalds Microkernel Debate Continues

twasserman writes "Andy Tanenbaum's recent article in the May 2006 issue of IEEE Computer restarted the longstanding Slashdot discussion about microkernels. He has posted a message on his website that responds to the various comments, describes numerous microkernel operating systems, including Minix3, and addresses his goal of building highly reliable, self-healing operating systems."

Comments

Only one way to settle this!

[Treeluvinhippy]

Tanenbaum vs. Torvalds fight to the death in the THUNDERDOME!

Two men enter! One man leaves!

Except for Master Blaster. But that midget was really more of an accessory so I guess it's still within the rules. Master was the brains of the Master Blaster combo, so I guess he acted similar to a math co-processor for a i386.

So in future dystopian societies, you can purchase a midget to upgrade your Gladiator? That dosen't seem like such a good deal now does it?

I mean why a midget? It's not like your gladiator needs a brain. Wouldn't the money be better spent on a flamethower or armor? Why a frickin' midget to ride around on his back? Maybe if he was being used for Fastball Specials I can see the point.

Anyways, back on topic... now what was it again?

Bad comparison

[Chas]

Most cars in Brazil can run on home-grown ethanol so Brazil imports little oil. Why doesn't the U.S. do that and reduce its dependence on the volatile Middle East? Well, there is a lot of inertia in the system. Getting people to change, even to superior practices, is very hard.

Problem 1: Ethanol is a much less energetic fuel on a per-gallon basis. Result? Ethanol has lower MPG vs gasoline. If people's cars are going to suddenly get 25-35% less mileage, they're going to start consuming more. ESPECIALLY in the transportation industry, which is pretty much locked on Diesel.

Problem 2: Drivers in Brazil and the US have VASTLY different auto usage patterns. Take a look. Those who actually own a car do a fraction of the driving that Americans do in a year.

I'm sick and tired of people who don't understand the realities of the "alternative fuel economies" thumping their chests and going "Stupid Americans!" over our fuel economy.

The fact is, in Europe, with it's relatively even population distribution, and close proximities between work and home, they can get away with things like this much more easily than we possibly could in the far-flung population centers of the US.

It doesn't mean the Europeans, or anyone else, are "better". It merely means their requirements are different than those of the US.

Not to mention the fact that, unlike a small country with a couple million people, you don't change the fuel infrastructure of the US (with several hundred million vehicles) overnight, or in a week, month or even a year.

Sorry to go off on a side-rant like this. I'm just REALLY tired of people who offer advice or criticism without understanding the full rammifications of what they're talking about. Sort of the modern day equivallent of "Let them eat cake".