The NT and XP kernel are the same. XP's is just an incremental improvement over the NT4 Kernel (it's almost the exact same Kernel in Win2000 aka NT5). Microsoft have just moved things in and out of the Kernel since NT3 to improve performance (such as the full DirectX support added to W2K rather than the awful DirectX emulation in NT4).
Also, while it's true that the 9x series are built on top of DOS, the same as 3.11, there were a significant number of changes to support 32-bit and things like pre-emptive rather than cooperative multitasking. Not quite as many changes as Microsoft would have us believe (it certainly wasn't the 100% new 16-bit-free operating system everyone expected based on what they were saying), but certainly a lot of changes under the hood.
Lastly, 3.x never had a Kernel, it was effectively a big graphical library and program launcher, and not much more.
That given, I'd revise your list to:
DOS Kernel (if you can call it a Kernel!)
9x Kernel (which built on DOS/3x)
NT Kernel (featuring in 2K and XP with tweaks)
I agree entirely that Linux has to be taken in a larger context. Considering that in the same time it's taken to go from 2K to XP we've seen Gnome go from v1 to v2 and KDE go from v2 to v3, which were much more significant changes, I'd say that Linux on the desktop is advancing more rapidly.
Besides, there's no reason to rewrite a Kernel from scratch if you get it right the first time. There don't seem to be that many fundamental problems with the Linux Kernel, so the continued process of tweaking and gradual improvement seems set to continue. Microsoft, on the other hand, had to write a new Kernel because 9x was such a horrendous mess and lacked quite a lot of modern features and elegance.
Eclipse is a real example of how incredible open source software can be. I've watched its progress over the last two years and generally been extremely pleased, it's now the only IDE I use for Java and PHP.
It's also an interesting example of how fast Java, and in general managed just-in-time-compiled bytecode, can be. Slow startups but decent responsiveness once it's loaded. Although at the moment I'm using a GCJ'd version which is much snappier.
He's "pretty single"? If he's single at age 30 and has pasty skin and overdeveloped wrists (from all that staying in and playing games) I'd suggest he's ugly single!
I find them rather useful when you just have to get that first post on a Slashdot article but can't remember your password. See, if you'd had cookies enabled, you might well have made it in time!
But seriously, I think cookies are a safe and generally useful concept. I have third-party cookies blocked since these can be downloaded with adverts and track you using the http-referer field. However, first party cookies are almost always safe.
Not having to log in again at every single site just makes it easier, IMHO. I back up my cookie data more often than my bookmarks.
Potentially, but I doubt it. The two browsers share a rendering engine, not much else. Cookies are purely a protocol issue, they add extra data when doing a GET/POST request on a web page. Nothing whatsoever to do with HTML rendering.
Potentially a bug could exist in the Javascript engine, and since Javascript can access cookies, and they could be stolen this way. However this particular bug doesn't appear to be JS-related, rather it's something more fundamental (but easily fixed by Apple, hopefully).
Since Konqueror uses KDE/QT's socket classes, whilst Safari uses the Carbon/Darwin sockets interface, it's unlikely the bug would rear it's head in Konqueror IMHO.
Well not my computer, I don't use Windows. But the point is that it should be impossible for a normal unprivileged user to crash a computer during very day use, or rather that should be the goal of all desktops. Microsoft is improving, and although we no longer get blue screens, individual apps are still quite crash-prone (such as explorer.exe).
The question to ask yourself is "has the usability of Linux on the Desktop improved in the last 5 years?". You're kidding yourself if you think the answer is no.
The next question to ask is "will this trend continue?". Considering that many free/open source software projects such as the GNOME project are now extremely focused on usability and both they and KDE have won awards for usability, I'd say the answer is almost certainly "yes".
Some time in the next five years, Linux will be ready for prime time desktop use in any environment. I can't say exactly when that will be due to the order-from-chaos development model of most projects (which is both a good and bad thing). But it will happen, and when it does, I'm pretty sure you'll be pleased you donated your vouchers to help.
I am inclined to agree. I'm much more likely to donate any vouchers I receive to an open source rather than free software organisation. I'd much rather see the money support projects that really need it rather than those that fit with Stallmann's moral vision.
I bet the only software he'll be sending machines is that which is licensed under the GPL, not any kind of BSD-style license - and considering many of the important components I'm using on this desktop at the moment are indeed licensed under BSD-like licenses (XFree, GNOME [LGPL]) are also those most in need.
Yeah right. That's why my Windows computer keeps crashing, no doubt. Best software my ass. Considering the excellent security record of Microsoft and the fact they've been found guilty of antitrust, I'm fairly accurate when I say that it's not the quality of their software that has won them customers. It's marketing.
What, then have them buy Microsoft software to put on those computers? Donating money to a free or open source software organisation (FSF, EFF, etc) means that free software improves. It will receive more widespread adoption. Schools will feel more inclined and more justified using it over Microsoft's products. They can then spend the money they'd otherwise spend on Windows and Office on more PCs.
Giving the vouchers to the FSF (or EFF) is a long term plan rather than a direct feedback route to Redmond's bank account.
In all seriousness, I find it frightening that Windows seems to be so ubiquitous in applications that scream out for embedded development. Why pick a Pentium processor running a multitasking operating system with all the complexities and foibles of Windows over a small, tight ARM-based system?
Development costs would be higher, but in the long run these systems would be much cheaper to mass-deploy. Have people forgotten how to write graphics code without using the Windows GDI?
I'm not talking about assembler, but surely a customised realtime operating system or something like embedded Linux, BSD, whatever would make for a much cheaper system than Windows, which ultimately isn't modular enough to do this kind of thing effectively.
Not a BSOD, but I discovered that the Warner Village Cinema automated ticket machines run NT4 when the application crashed and I was left with a desktop. Could even browse the Internet (had IE installed) before we got 'noticed' and told to use another terminal.
How can this system possibly work? Firstly it can only be enforced inside the US. This means that any measures taken can only be taken on US SMTP servers. The idea is surely that SMTP servers will only trust other SMTP servers that are signed up to the tax program and are taxing users, but what about connections from overseas? If US citizens want to receive e-mail from anyone abroad, then US servers will need to trust all servers outside the US.
Therefore an overseas spammer will be in precisely the position that they were in before - i.e. they're free to send as much bulk e-mail as they want - except now everybody inside the US has to pay a cent per e-mail.
An alternative might be to tax after the e-mail has arrived at the recipient, and yes, I'm sure Microsoft will tell you this could be an ideal application of certain DRM technologies. But that won't work either. Since most of the e-mail spam sent comes from overseas, aside from trying to send tax bills to people out of the country in areas with no extradition treaties, I don't see what can really be done.
Spam is, and always will be an international problem, and must be tackled as such. I don't really want the UN charging me taxes, but if this is what it takes to stop spam then sobeit. Of course, since most American politicians over the last 50 years have been disgusted at the idea of the UN's power being enhanced to cover this sort of thing I can't see any change any time soon.
By far the easiest cheapest way to combat spam is through user education. By explaining to users that there are free and effective spam filters available and by persuading them to use them, there'll simply be no point sending the stuff any more because no-one will be able to read it.
Internet2 is such a stupid name. It's just another high-speed network linked to the Internet. We technologically backward countries have similar schemes but don't have the audacity to call them Internet2. In the UK, the high speed academic network is called JANET, for example - and they do quite a bit of research-type things with high speed links. Even has extensive peering with Internet2 IIRC.
The worst part is how trivially easy it usually is to get to a command prompt under Win2K. I am no-longer at school but I did work at an establishment with a stupidly locked down network for some time and coming up with all sorts of tricks such as adding "cmd.exe" as a favourite using the Word "Save As..." dialog box then calling it up in Internet Explorer and watching it run...
Yeah, but not more than a 20" LCD, which is what I'm looking at buying at the moment (already have a heavenly 18" on one machine and a 15" on the other).
Slashdot Mirror
Also, while it's true that the 9x series are built on top of DOS, the same as 3.11, there were a significant number of changes to support 32-bit and things like pre-emptive rather than cooperative multitasking. Not quite as many changes as Microsoft would have us believe (it certainly wasn't the 100% new 16-bit-free operating system everyone expected based on what they were saying), but certainly a lot of changes under the hood.
Lastly, 3.x never had a Kernel, it was effectively a big graphical library and program launcher, and not much more.
That given, I'd revise your list to:
- DOS Kernel (if you can call it a Kernel!)
- 9x Kernel (which built on DOS/3x)
- NT Kernel (featuring in 2K and XP with tweaks)
I agree entirely that Linux has to be taken in a larger context. Considering that in the same time it's taken to go from 2K to XP we've seen Gnome go from v1 to v2 and KDE go from v2 to v3, which were much more significant changes, I'd say that Linux on the desktop is advancing more rapidly.Besides, there's no reason to rewrite a Kernel from scratch if you get it right the first time. There don't seem to be that many fundamental problems with the Linux Kernel, so the continued process of tweaking and gradual improvement seems set to continue. Microsoft, on the other hand, had to write a new Kernel because 9x was such a horrendous mess and lacked quite a lot of modern features and elegance.
Eclipse is a real example of how incredible open source software can be. I've watched its progress over the last two years and generally been extremely pleased, it's now the only IDE I use for Java and PHP.
It's also an interesting example of how fast Java, and in general managed just-in-time-compiled bytecode, can be. Slow startups but decent responsiveness once it's loaded. Although at the moment I'm using a GCJ'd version which is much snappier.
Kerebos.
And will they ever have a professional gaming competition where they play that game about professional gaming competitions?
And will they ever have a professional game where you play a game about pfofessional gaming competitions at a professional gaming competition?
And will there ever be a gaming competition where they play the aforementioned game?
ARGH! MELTING!
He's "pretty single"? If he's single at age 30 and has pasty skin and overdeveloped wrists (from all that staying in and playing games) I'd suggest he's ugly single!
No worries, I didn't mean for you to get modded redundant, I just couldn't be bothered to type out or copy-n-paste the entire response again.
Because I use Epiphany on my PCs running Linux and don't have Konqueror installed?
Also they produce lots of Mac OSX software. There's also Internet Explorer for UNIX, although I've never seen it in action, it's very very rare.
I find them rather useful when you just have to get that first post on a Slashdot article but can't remember your password. See, if you'd had cookies enabled, you might well have made it in time!
But seriously, I think cookies are a safe and generally useful concept. I have third-party cookies blocked since these can be downloaded with adverts and track you using the http-referer field. However, first party cookies are almost always safe.
Not having to log in again at every single site just makes it easier, IMHO. I back up my cookie data more often than my bookmarks.
This is a repeat of the earlier parent on the same issue. See my comment here. Basically I'm pretty sure the answer is no.
Potentially, but I doubt it. The two browsers share a rendering engine, not much else. Cookies are purely a protocol issue, they add extra data when doing a GET/POST request on a web page. Nothing whatsoever to do with HTML rendering.
Potentially a bug could exist in the Javascript engine, and since Javascript can access cookies, and they could be stolen this way. However this particular bug doesn't appear to be JS-related, rather it's something more fundamental (but easily fixed by Apple, hopefully).
Since Konqueror uses KDE/QT's socket classes, whilst Safari uses the Carbon/Darwin sockets interface, it's unlikely the bug would rear it's head in Konqueror IMHO.
Well not my computer, I don't use Windows. But the point is that it should be impossible for a normal unprivileged user to crash a computer during very day use, or rather that should be the goal of all desktops. Microsoft is improving, and although we no longer get blue screens, individual apps are still quite crash-prone (such as explorer.exe).
The question to ask yourself is "has the usability of Linux on the Desktop improved in the last 5 years?". You're kidding yourself if you think the answer is no.
The next question to ask is "will this trend continue?". Considering that many free/open source software projects such as the GNOME project are now extremely focused on usability and both they and KDE have won awards for usability, I'd say the answer is almost certainly "yes".
Some time in the next five years, Linux will be ready for prime time desktop use in any environment. I can't say exactly when that will be due to the order-from-chaos development model of most projects (which is both a good and bad thing). But it will happen, and when it does, I'm pretty sure you'll be pleased you donated your vouchers to help.
By EFF of course I mean OSI, I'm just going insane.
I am inclined to agree. I'm much more likely to donate any vouchers I receive to an open source rather than free software organisation. I'd much rather see the money support projects that really need it rather than those that fit with Stallmann's moral vision.
I bet the only software he'll be sending machines is that which is licensed under the GPL, not any kind of BSD-style license - and considering many of the important components I'm using on this desktop at the moment are indeed licensed under BSD-like licenses (XFree, GNOME [LGPL]) are also those most in need.
Yeah right. That's why my Windows computer keeps crashing, no doubt. Best software my ass. Considering the excellent security record of Microsoft and the fact they've been found guilty of antitrust, I'm fairly accurate when I say that it's not the quality of their software that has won them customers. It's marketing.
What, then have them buy Microsoft software to put on those computers? Donating money to a free or open source software organisation (FSF, EFF, etc) means that free software improves. It will receive more widespread adoption. Schools will feel more inclined and more justified using it over Microsoft's products. They can then spend the money they'd otherwise spend on Windows and Office on more PCs.
Giving the vouchers to the FSF (or EFF) is a long term plan rather than a direct feedback route to Redmond's bank account.
In all seriousness, I find it frightening that Windows seems to be so ubiquitous in applications that scream out for embedded development. Why pick a Pentium processor running a multitasking operating system with all the complexities and foibles of Windows over a small, tight ARM-based system?
Development costs would be higher, but in the long run these systems would be much cheaper to mass-deploy. Have people forgotten how to write graphics code without using the Windows GDI?
I'm not talking about assembler, but surely a customised realtime operating system or something like embedded Linux, BSD, whatever would make for a much cheaper system than Windows, which ultimately isn't modular enough to do this kind of thing effectively.
Not a BSOD, but I discovered that the Warner Village Cinema automated ticket machines run NT4 when the application crashed and I was left with a desktop. Could even browse the Internet (had IE installed) before we got 'noticed' and told to use another terminal.
How can this system possibly work? Firstly it can only be enforced inside the US. This means that any measures taken can only be taken on US SMTP servers. The idea is surely that SMTP servers will only trust other SMTP servers that are signed up to the tax program and are taxing users, but what about connections from overseas? If US citizens want to receive e-mail from anyone abroad, then US servers will need to trust all servers outside the US.
Therefore an overseas spammer will be in precisely the position that they were in before - i.e. they're free to send as much bulk e-mail as they want - except now everybody inside the US has to pay a cent per e-mail.
An alternative might be to tax after the e-mail has arrived at the recipient, and yes, I'm sure Microsoft will tell you this could be an ideal application of certain DRM technologies. But that won't work either. Since most of the e-mail spam sent comes from overseas, aside from trying to send tax bills to people out of the country in areas with no extradition treaties, I don't see what can really be done.
Spam is, and always will be an international problem, and must be tackled as such. I don't really want the UN charging me taxes, but if this is what it takes to stop spam then sobeit. Of course, since most American politicians over the last 50 years have been disgusted at the idea of the UN's power being enhanced to cover this sort of thing I can't see any change any time soon.
By far the easiest cheapest way to combat spam is through user education. By explaining to users that there are free and effective spam filters available and by persuading them to use them, there'll simply be no point sending the stuff any more because no-one will be able to read it.
Yet Another PHP Nuke-alike (YAPNA). This time from a university! Somehow I expected better. Ah well, looks like their MySQL is down anyway.
Internet2 is such a stupid name. It's just another high-speed network linked to the Internet. We technologically backward countries have similar schemes but don't have the audacity to call them Internet2. In the UK, the high speed academic network is called JANET, for example - and they do quite a bit of research-type things with high speed links. Even has extensive peering with Internet2 IIRC.
The worst part is how trivially easy it usually is to get to a command prompt under Win2K. I am no-longer at school but I did work at an establishment with a stupidly locked down network for some time and coming up with all sorts of tricks such as adding "cmd.exe" as a favourite using the Word "Save As..." dialog box then calling it up in Internet Explorer and watching it run...
WRONG, learn to write.
Its = possessive
It's = it is
Never trust a logged in user for grammar advice ('cept me!).
Yeah, but not more than a 20" LCD, which is what I'm looking at buying at the moment (already have a heavenly 18" on one machine and a 15" on the other).