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Microsoft Discontinues Windows 3.x
rugatero writes "The BBC reports that, as of last Saturday, Microsoft is no longer issuing licenses for the 18-year-old Windows 3.x. Many here may well be surprised to learn that anyone still has use for the antiquated software, but it seems to have found a home in a number of embedded systems — including cash registers and the in-flight entertainment systems on some long-haul passenger jets (Virgin and Qantas are cited). Considering Linux's credentials as an embedded OS, this news could very well indicate the possibility of more migrations in the pipeline."
Windows 3.x is a lean, stable, functional, and secure OS! How could they do such a thing?
in-flight entertainment systems on some long-haul passenger jets
Ahh, so that's what they ment by "Every seat is a window seat".
Life is not for the lazy.
Well, it's news that matters, right now, so....
Two weeks.
I guess this means my sweet 386DX with the 2400 baud modem is going to be hacked the next time I dial into Prodigy to access Mad Maze.
I wonder if this will simply end up with companies using Wine over linux to run their legacy apps?
Upgrading from Windows 3.x to Vista Ultimate should provide a significant performance boost for any application.
They are all nice to you when you retire. "Have fun on the beach," they say. Then one day, when you are relaxing in your hammock enjoying your time off maybe sipping a gin and tonic, the phone rings. "It's Linus and the Mac fag," they say, "They're back." "No way, I'm out of the game," you say. Then Windows ME bangs on your door, his back riddled with bullet holes, you know now and then that the computing world needs you. Up in the attic, you grab a handful of floppies and your trusty 2400 baud modem. "Fuck it," you mutter.
I was finally getting my config.sys and autoexec.bat files optimized. I suppose I could try putting Vista on my 33 MHz 486 (don't worry, it's a DX) ...
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
It's not very often you get to see the boot up but in one case they rebooted the system after they landed and in the other my partners crashed when we were trying to change the default language.
Oh my God, that's terrible! My condolences for your loss, and I will never use Linux again.
Breakfast served all day!
...Ford announces they are discontinuing production of Model-A parts. Wright Aircraft and Bicycle Company is also rumored to be considering scaling back licensing of its iconic Wright Flyer, citing loss of market share to "those new-fangled planes with landing gear and ailerons."
Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
I still remember the first time I used a PC running Windows 3.11... I was in my early teens. I recall it was during a party at my uncle's place. I played with it just a bit, but it was enough to make a very strong impression on me. The interface, the usability, those things led me to make me a very important choice. That day I swore to myself: when time comes to get my own computer... it must be a Macintosh.
Circumcision is child abuse.
How would an in-flight entertainment system even run on Windows 3.1? What kind of entertainment would you be viewing?
Playing Cinepak-compressed video at 15 frames per second in 8 bit color? Maybe playing Minesweeper?
Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear
And nerds everywhere rejoiced. Finally people on /. are getting laid.
"We had a good run team." One of them says as they walk off into the sunset.
I totally read that as "walk off into the usenet". Heh.
Wait... what obama story? Did something happen?
yeah, i hear he's just really a figurehead
Those of us who think they know everything annoy those of us who do.
Can you imagine Vista, running on the back of every seat in a A380?
Super computers are heavy you know, and have you seen Vista's power usage?
The jet needs the engines for flight you know.
Yeah, they finally caught him.
What?
They could release the code, but I guess they can't give the core of Vista away...
Bush 6.5??? He had to have been an early alpha or there are some serious flaws in the system genera... oh nvm
You can still run Windows 3.11 on DosBOX (complete with a working Microsoft BOB install! Really!). What am I going to do now? :-(
SJW n. One who posts facts.
Slashdot, where's the Obama story?
No sorry. The election is over. /. will now resume its usual regimen of trolls about petrified naked Natalie Portman and welcomes given to our latest overlords-du-jour.
"Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
The sad part is that now only get turned on by pixelated women.
Wait... what obama story? Did something happen?
Yeah, it was quite unexpected: after his highly successful second term, during which he finally managed to get rid of the national debt and negotiated some pretty decent peace terms with Australia, everybody thought he would take the position of ambassador to the Chino-Russian Mars colony. Instead he is opening a chocolate shop in Belgium, together with his wife.
Gee, were you in a coma the last 8 years?
What if we tell everybody that Obama use *nix, McCain is a kernel hacker and Sara Palin is CowboyNeal real mom? W00T!
Am I eval()? - http://www.monst3r.com.br
I flew across the US with my daughter, and I immediately turned off the in flight "entertainment" system on our seats. Well, I turned the brightness and volume all the way down - you couldn't actually turn the dang things off. The attendants kept walking by, seeing our screens dark, and without talking to me, rushing to the front of the cabin to announce, "Please be patient, we need to reboot the in-flight movie system." This happened about 6 times before they finally figured out that I was turning them off on purpose.
The BBC reports that, as of last Saturday, Microsoft is no longer issuing licenses for the 18-year-old Windows 3.x
They don't have to anymore, Windows 3.x is now an adult and Microsoft is not required to pay child support any longer.
Some may say it is harsh to just kick it out on the street, to fend for itself. But it will be interesting to see how well Windows 3.x does on its own, will it be flipping burgers or will it be working in IT?
Personally I hope it isn't jelous of its younger siblings who gets all the attention, otherwise we could end up with a messy OS gone postal.
Carbon based humanoid in training.
Another man duck-walks across the flight deck.... He's about sixty, with a dirigible of white hair that was not ruffled in any way by the downdraft.
"Hello, everyone," he says cheerfully.
"Who are you?" Tony says.
The new guy looks crestfallen. "Greg Ritchie," he says.
Then, when no one seems to react, he jogs their memory. "President of the United States."
"Oh! Sorry. Nice to meet you, Mr. President," Tony says, extending his hand....
-Snow Crash
My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
Instead he is opening a chocolate shop in Belgium, together with his wife.
Watch your language!
I am officially gone from
Instead he is opening a chocolate shop in Belgium, together with his wife.
Watch your language!
Oh yeah? Well, Belgium you too! ;-)
I was on a flight recently and there was trouble with the in flight entertainment. They tried rebooting it twice, and we all got to watch our seatback screens booting linux complete with a penguin in the upper left of the screen during the boot.