That's very true -- BeOS isn't designed as a server OS, nor does it try to compete in that arena. Then again, the number of users who need a better alternative to Windows far outstrips the number of users who need to run a server. And BeOS makes a much better desktop/workstation replacement OS than does Linux.
Sit a user down and have him or install and configure both Linux and BeOS (and give them all the documentation they could possibly want or need), then come back and tell me that "With supported hardware, Linux won't be any more complicated to deal with than Be." BeOS is infinitely easier to install and configure than Linux. KDE and Gnome are making strides, but they don't even come close to BeOS in this department. Don't even come close.
In what way does BeOS not have the power of Linux? Aside from not yet being multi-user, I can't think of any place where Linux has more power than BeOS. And "multimedia is right up there with Linux?" Come on... BeOS blows Linux completely out of the water where media is concerned.
If multiuser capabilities are the most important thing you consider when choosing an OS, then by all mean, choose Linux. If you're interested in speed, usability, grace, and intelligent design, you better take a closer look at the BeOS.
You forgot to mention the value of TIME. I'm a long-time BeOS user who has recently been trying to spend more time in Linux, and I'm absolutely blown away by how much time Linux vacuums away when all I want to do is get some work done. Configuration and customization in Linux is a major pain, even if it has made great strides recently. BeOS has spoiled me rotten. It just works, and it works beautifully. You can figure it out without turning to books or to the internet for help. My time is worth something, and BeOS doesn't cost me time. Linux does.
Uh, that and because moving from Metrowerks to egcs brought a 20-30% speed boost to the entire OS and all applications on the x86 side (OS optimizations in R4 also contributed to that number).
No. Be users who want to use Blender are not "out in the cold." They just have to wait a month for the 4.1 release to emerge. I'm a 4.1 beta tester, I downloaded Blender, and it works just fine. The same functionality will be available to the rest of the users in one month. What in hell is so bad about waiting a month for software you want? Are you saying you've never waited for software you were excited about to be released? What's the big deal?
I spoke at length last night to Be's VP of Business Development, and untrenched a lot of answers to this and other questions. A full analysis/editorial can be found at
Why "homeless?" Linux runs on many platforms, but is by far more popular on x86 than anywhwere else. Seems like a pretty logical home for BeOS to me...
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That's very true -- BeOS isn't designed as a server OS, nor does it try to compete in that arena. Then again, the number of users who need a better alternative to Windows far outstrips the number of users who need to run a server. And BeOS makes a much better desktop/workstation replacement OS than does Linux.
Sit a user down and have him or install and configure both Linux and BeOS (and give them all the documentation they could possibly want or need), then come back and tell me that "With supported hardware, Linux won't be any more complicated to deal with than Be." BeOS is infinitely easier to install and configure than Linux. KDE and Gnome are making strides, but they don't even come close to BeOS in this department. Don't even come close.
In what way does BeOS not have the power of Linux? Aside from not yet being multi-user, I can't think of any place where Linux has more power than BeOS. And "multimedia is right up there with Linux?" Come on... BeOS blows Linux completely out of the water where media is concerned.
In the recently released BeOS demo video, Jean-Louis says he wants BeOS to become "The Linux of media applications."
If multiuser capabilities are the most important thing you consider when choosing an OS, then by all mean, choose Linux. If you're interested in speed, usability, grace, and intelligent design, you better take a closer look at the BeOS.
You forgot to mention the value of TIME. I'm a long-time BeOS user who has recently been trying to spend more time in Linux, and I'm absolutely blown away by how much time Linux vacuums away when all I want to do is get some work done. Configuration and customization in Linux is a major pain, even if it has made great strides recently. BeOS has spoiled me rotten. It just works, and it works beautifully. You can figure it out without turning to books or to the internet for help. My time is worth something, and BeOS doesn't cost me time. Linux does.
I was just happy to learn that he wrote the whole thing in BeOS, from his BeBox no less...
Uh, that and because moving from Metrowerks to egcs brought a 20-30% speed boost to the entire OS and all applications on the x86 side (OS optimizations in R4 also contributed to that number).
No. Be users who want to use Blender are not "out in the cold." They just have to wait a month for the 4.1 release to emerge. I'm a 4.1 beta tester, I downloaded Blender, and it works just fine. The same functionality will be available to the rest of the users in one month. What in hell is so bad about waiting a month for software you want? Are you saying you've never waited for software you were excited about to be released? What's the big deal?
http://www.benews.com/story/?ID=680
Why "homeless?" Linux runs on many platforms, but is by far more popular on x86 than anywhwere else. Seems like a pretty logical home for BeOS to me...