Governments and joe public only understand two things or options. So if there is a choice you can only give then two, ie, yes or no, Windows of Mac, Internet Exploder or Firefox, give it or I take it anyway.
In the mean time they will simply supply monitoring software that probably only works on Windows, because it will support all operating systems [Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7]. It will be up to you to decide on were you get the software for AntiVirus/Malware/Firewall from, after all, the Government isn't in the antiviral and malware business, yet.
Or, they will mandate it that the ISP has to ask the customer at point of signup if they have AntiVirus and a Firewall installed, and leave it up to the customer to say yes or no:o)
As I don't run Windows or Mac, only AIX and something else, I would of cause reply in the affirmative.
I am embarrassed as an Australian, to have to admit that our Federal Government is serious about everything they have leaked, reported, and pushed over the past 3 weeks.
It's like an old pair of worn in shoes, its comfy, does everything I want it to, ie If it still works, still does everything you need to use a computer for (ok, I have AIX for a couple of other things), then why change ? You going to throw out your 3 month old pair of shoes that are finally worn in just because the fashions have changed that quick ? Ok, so you are, you cant be a geek then can you;-)
I use OS/2, RedHat, AIX, I even have Win98, and Windows XP on other PC's for those Windows moments, and for evaluation.
I have 19 PC's/Servers, and 1 RS/6000 F50.
I've been in the game since 1982.
Whats the computer on my own desk?
A Dual PIII-1000 with OS/2:-)
Cheers
Happy that even under duress, IBM is still upgrading OS/2, and then there is eComStation.
1st point, OS/2 isnt dead, never has been, and eComStation is in beta at present, eCS is like OS/2 on steroids;-)
2nd point, OS/2 and Linux live together and complement themselves very well, most Linux apps are easy to port to OS/2, as both are close to, if not fully, POSIX compliant.
OS/2, eCS are more secure, even if it is through obscurity, and make a better workstation. Linux at present makes for a bloody good server, with the promise of a good GUI client in the future, which is getting closer.
And as is with most platforms, each have their own strenghts and weakness's.
IBM I think is moving back to its Hardware and Service roots so I wouldnt expect them to release their own Linux distro, they are instead releasing, and working on a lot of software for inclusion in other flavours of linux, things like the JFS (Journalling File System), LVM (Logical Volume Manager), as well as poring in lots of money to select present players. IBM has had the view that there are to many Linux players, and this is now proving true with the start of market placement.
Lack of driver support ? Well, yes and no, there are a hell of a lot of drivers out there, with work being done on DVD playback at present, Drivers are available for SB Live and hundreds of other Audio cards, Almost all current graphics cards, USB, Printers, scanners (though these are in need of updating), CDR's CD's etc are currently available.
You are correct as far as items like FireWire go though, no drivers at present.
And none on the horizon that we can see, yet...
Operating Systems can be a very personal thing but then again, there are some operating systems that just plain suck, and I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about;-)
I've converted accountants and other business's over to OS/2, especially using products like IBM's WSeB (latest OS/2 Server), its solid, yes, it does have its moments but then so does AIX, and every flavour of Unix/Linux but once you have it setup, you leave it in the corner.
In all honesty, I think you would need to get an eCS demo disk, boot from it, have a look at it, seperate the FUD from the facts, and you just might decide to give it a go. Like everything though, there is still a learning curve but with eComStation (eCS) you are buffered to some extent. I have often made the generalisation that eCS or OS/2 is like the Mac, only with a powerful command prompt, and reasonably easy access to ported Unix software. A big generalisation.
Hi zaius
I use OS/2 as my prefered OS on an IBM Netfinity PIII-1000, with 768Mb RAM, Adaptec SCSI FW card and 3 18Gb HD's, Yamaha CDR, HP scanner, and a SB Live card. most major hardware drivers are available, you just need to know were to look. IBM's marketing does suck big time though !
I first used OS/2 when IBM gave me a free copy back in 1993, and installed it when windows was giving me the shits in 94, I havent looked back:-)
I also have an RS/6000 with AIX, Windows98, WindowsNT, and RH Linux v6.2 on PC's at home, as well as a Apple G4, and G3 for my wife. I use all these on a weekly basis but have no intention of moving from OS/2 as my prefered.
I'm also an ex VAX System Manager.
I'm 38, so I didnt use it as a child, I did start using MS-DOS in 1983 though, and then bought myself a DEC Rainbow 100, then graduated to a PRO380.
I use OS/2 for all my server (8) hosting except for the RS/6000 (1), the other PC's are for support, learning, and just plain messing with.
Yes, I consider using OS/2 as normal, the GUI is superb, if only Microsoft and IBM had stuck with it together, Windows(OS/2) would truly have rocked. OS/2 v3 that MS was working on became WindowsNT, it was not based on the VMS kernal as some rumors suggest.
I've never hidden the fact I prefer OS/2, its just more productive, and the initial decision was based on my lost productivity with #$%^% windows.
Only dickheads who use OutLook have critised my choice of OS when they send me HTML email (I dont use a HTML client), or those @#$ Microsoft extensions:-)
Cheers
Ian Manners
http://www.os2site.com/
http://www.ecs-site.com/
Slashdot Mirror
Governments and joe public only understand two things or options. So if there is a choice you can only give then two, ie, yes or no, Windows of Mac, Internet Exploder or Firefox, give it or I take it anyway.
In the mean time they will simply supply monitoring software that probably only works on Windows, because it will support all operating systems [Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7]. It will be up to you to decide on were you get the software for AntiVirus/Malware/Firewall from, after all, the Government isn't in the antiviral and malware business, yet.
Or, they will mandate it that the ISP has to ask the customer at point of signup if they have AntiVirus and a Firewall installed, and leave it up to the customer to say yes or no :o)
As I don't run Windows or Mac, only AIX and something else, I would of cause reply in the affirmative.
I am embarrassed as an Australian, to have to admit that our Federal Government is serious about everything they have leaked, reported, and pushed over the past 3 weeks.
Can I be Russian instead now ?
It's like an old pair of worn in shoes, its comfy, does everything I want it to, ie ;-)
If it still works, still does everything you need to use a computer for (ok, I have AIX for a couple of other things), then why change ?
You going to throw out your 3 month old pair of shoes that are finally worn in just because the fashions have changed that quick ?
Ok, so you are, you cant be a geek then can you
I use OS/2, RedHat, AIX, I even have Win98, and Windows XP on other PC's for those Windows moments, and for evaluation.
:-)
I have 19 PC's/Servers, and 1 RS/6000 F50.
I've been in the game since 1982.
Whats the computer on my own desk?
A Dual PIII-1000 with OS/2
Cheers
Happy that even under duress, IBM is still upgrading OS/2, and then there is eComStation.
1st point, OS/2 isnt dead, never has been, and eComStation is in beta at present, eCS is like OS/2 on steroids ;-)
2nd point, OS/2 and Linux live together and complement themselves very well, most Linux apps are easy to port to OS/2, as both are close to, if not fully, POSIX compliant.
OS/2, eCS are more secure, even if it is through obscurity, and make a better workstation. Linux at present makes for a bloody good server, with the promise of a good GUI client in the future, which is getting closer.
And as is with most platforms, each have their own strenghts and weakness's.
IBM I think is moving back to its Hardware and Service roots so I wouldnt expect them to release their own Linux distro, they are instead releasing, and working on a lot of software for inclusion in other flavours of linux, things like the JFS (Journalling File System), LVM (Logical Volume Manager), as well as poring in lots of money to select present players. IBM has had the view that there are to many Linux players, and this is now proving true with the start of market placement.
Lack of driver support ? Well, yes and no, there are a hell of a lot of drivers out there, with work being done on DVD playback at present, Drivers are available for SB Live and hundreds of other Audio cards, Almost all current graphics cards, USB, Printers, scanners (though these are in need of updating), CDR's CD's etc are currently available.
You are correct as far as items like FireWire go though, no drivers at present.
And none on the horizon that we can see, yet...
Operating Systems can be a very personal thing but then again, there are some operating systems that just plain suck, and I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about ;-)
I've converted accountants and other business's over to OS/2, especially using products like IBM's WSeB (latest OS/2 Server), its solid, yes, it does have its moments but then so does AIX, and every flavour of Unix/Linux but once you have it setup, you leave it in the corner.
In all honesty, I think you would need to get an eCS demo disk, boot from it, have a look at it, seperate the FUD from the facts, and you just might decide to give it a go. Like everything though, there is still a learning curve but with eComStation (eCS) you are buffered to some extent. I have often made the generalisation that eCS or OS/2 is like the Mac, only with a powerful command prompt, and reasonably easy access to ported Unix software. A big generalisation.
Productivity !
Dependability !
Think of it as a fortified Linux with an excellent GUI.
Hey, I use Linux from RH, and SX but for my day to day needs, I'm still happy to pay for eComStation, or OS/2.
Hi
:-)
;-)
eComStation is so much more than a repackaged OS/2. It has all of the latest drivers, enhancements, and has been remodelled.
eComStation also include software to make it an excellent application for remotely controlling, and installing, other OS's.
I bought it, and to me, it's worth every cent I paid for it.
It will over time widen its segement of the market but we all need to remember, its not for everyone.
The more people that install it and have a good look at it, the more people will start to use it, and they will be converted
eComStation (eCS) is here to stay.
So is Unix and Linux, in one form or another.
Now, if we could only see Windows die
Cheers
Ian Manners
http://www.ecs-site.com/
Tis ok, I saw the humor :-)
I dont take much seriously these days,
after all, we are humans, and we are all
different, thank goodness !
How boring would it be with out diversity.
Cheers
Ian Manners
http://www.os2site.com
Ummm
Whats this got to do with eComStation, or OS/2 ??
Cheers
Ian Manners
Hi
Here in Australia, all the NCR and IBM ATM's that I use to service were all OS/2 based.
Cheers
Ian Manners
http://www.ecs-site.com/
Hi zaius I use OS/2 as my prefered OS on an IBM Netfinity PIII-1000, with 768Mb RAM, Adaptec SCSI FW card and 3 18Gb HD's, Yamaha CDR, HP scanner, and a SB Live card. most major hardware drivers are available, you just need to know were to look. IBM's marketing does suck big time though ! I first used OS/2 when IBM gave me a free copy back in 1993, and installed it when windows was giving me the shits in 94, I havent looked back :-)
I also have an RS/6000 with AIX, Windows98, WindowsNT, and RH Linux v6.2 on PC's at home, as well as a Apple G4, and G3 for my wife. I use all these on a weekly basis but have no intention of moving from OS/2 as my prefered.
I'm also an ex VAX System Manager.
I'm 38, so I didnt use it as a child, I did start using MS-DOS in 1983 though, and then bought myself a DEC Rainbow 100, then graduated to a PRO380.
I use OS/2 for all my server (8) hosting except for the RS/6000 (1), the other PC's are for support, learning, and just plain messing with.
Yes, I consider using OS/2 as normal, the GUI is superb, if only Microsoft and IBM had stuck with it together, Windows(OS/2) would truly have rocked. OS/2 v3 that MS was working on became WindowsNT, it was not based on the VMS kernal as some rumors suggest.
I've never hidden the fact I prefer OS/2, its just more productive, and the initial decision was based on my lost productivity with #$%^% windows.
Only dickheads who use OutLook have critised my choice of OS when they send me HTML email (I dont use a HTML client), or those @#$ Microsoft extensions :-)
Cheers
Ian Manners
http://www.os2site.com/
http://www.ecs-site.com/