Linus Looks at His Crystal Ball

Magorak writes "There's an interesting article I found here about Linus Torvalds' take on the future of the software and hardware industry. There's tidbits about Linux's future itself, the competition with Microsoft, and about customized software becoming more important. It also gives us an interesting view on how Linus sees the future of computers and technology. "

Comments

Re:what is transmeta?

[drig]

According to Linus, Transmeta "makes stuff". So, I assume, Linus was hired to help them make stuff. Linus will be bringing his expertise in stuff design and probably begin expanding into actual stuff manufacturing. With the team they have, I imagine they'll make quite good stuff. Maybe useful stuff. Definitely stuff of some sort or other.

Perhaps the stuff will use Linux, but Linus was not hired to work on Linux (although this is not precluded by his contract). I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see some of Linus' work go into Linux (like a /dev/stuff file or maybe even /proc/stuff, a new stuff driver and an expanded stuff interface). I hear O'Reilly will be partnering with Transmeta to release "Stuff in a Nutshell" and the new "Stuff Administrator's Handbook".

Calculators vs. Computers

[TheKodiak]

The same reason people keep coffeemakers next to their stoves - stoves make coffee, too, but coffeemakers make it better, faster, and with a more appropriate UI.

But all of those are things that can be overcome. No one I know keeps a manual typewriter next to their computer. A lot of people with good internet access don't keep cd players, cassette players, or radios next to their computers. I no longer keep a newspaper in my house - it has been completely integrated with my computer. I know longer keep a TV guide next to my television - even though the TV guide has more information and a better UI than my digital cable, it's easier to find the TV than the TV AND a current periodical.

By contrast, I don't watch TV on my computer - that's too frustrating and expensive. I still keep maps in my car - again, the alternative is too expensive. I don't send e-mail through my cellphone, and even though I wish I could, it wouldn't be the only way I sent e-mail.

In summary - my girlfriend uses a knife to cut food, and scissors to cut paper and cloth, because she often has to do things requiring the precision scissors afford. I will use a knife to cut anything, because it's easier than looking for scissors, and I'm a lazy sod. There are many people who don't want all-in-one devices, but a lot of them will use them once they have them.