Slashdot Mirror
Multicore Requires OS Rework, Windows Expert Says
alphadogg writes "With chip makers continuing to increase the number of cores they include on each new generation of their processors, perhaps it's time to rethink the basic architecture of today's operating systems, suggested Dave Probert, a kernel architect within the Windows core operating systems division at Microsoft. The current approach to harnessing the power of multicore processors is complicated and not entirely successful, he argued. The key may not be in throwing more energy into refining techniques such as parallel programming, but rather rethinking the basic abstractions that make up the operating systems model. Today's computers don't get enough performance out of their multicore chips, Probert said. 'Why should you ever, with all this parallel hardware, ever be waiting for your computer?' he asked. Probert made his presentation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Universal Parallel Computing Research Center."
Well - I can tell you that Dave Probert saw his first multi-processor about 28 years ago at Burroughs corporation. It was a dual-processor B1855. I had the pleasure with working with the guy way back then. From what I recall he then went on to work at FPS systems which was an array processor that you could add onto other machines (I think vaxen...but I could be wrong there..)
Anyway - he has been around ALONG time.
Have you compiled your kernel today??
Citation needed? I think you'll find that Iphone only appears to outperform Android because Android is doing a lot more then the Iphone. Further more many things that work on Android do not work on Iphone, slashdot for instance works fine on my HTC Dream or newer Motorola Milestone with the standard browser, it works even better with Dolphin browser.
This cannot be a fair comparison until the Iphone can do everything that Android phones can, unless you want to compare functionality where Iphone is an epic failure.
Now I can tell you're full of it. All prices are incl of local taxes, and UK VAT does not apply outside the EU for those in Australia, Canada and the US.
UK Expansys
Motorola Milestone GBP 379
Nexus 1 GBP 599
Iphone 32 GB GBP 799
AU Mobicity
Motorola Milestone A$659
Nexus 1 A$849
Iphone 16 GB A$959
The cheapest Iphone 3GS available is A$100 more expensive then the newer Motorola Milestone (droid for the Yanks) and Google Nexus One. Not to mention that both the Milestone and Nexus One can do more as well as lack the restrictions of the Iphone. But then again I suspect you were merely looking to confirm your quite obvious bias rather then do an accurate comparison.
Apple's operating systems are not very well optimised, not even as much as Windows operating systems, Apple's OS pretend to have optimisation by providing the OS with more hardware then it needs and limiting functionality to prevent any perceived loss of speed. Most people using a Mac or Iphone rarely use the full power of the hardware, ergo an un-optimised OS goes unnoticed by the user. Here is the core of the design (in an engineering perspective) a design does not have to work well, it just has to work. The vast majority of people will ignore tiny flaws if they can get the task done, OTOH if a computer doesn't do the task the user will get annoyed no matter how pretty the interface.
As a good developer friend of mine likes to say, "If given the choice, a user will press the 'I just want it to work today' button". OSX provides this very shiny button but only in a few select places, Windows provides this not so shiny button almost everywhere. This is why Windows is still the number one OS on the planet.
Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.