One good reason to buy an AMD chip

Subject: OS/2 is 20 years old

Thanks Fernando, great article! I know exactly what you mean, I have OS/2 Warp still running in a Parallels VM on my Linux box. It was the first OS that introduced me to the internet and sometimes I just have to have my fix and start it up again... sad, I know. At the time Warp came out, it was miles ahead of Windows. And it was upsetting to see the worst system win. Good to know it refuses to go away and die ;-)

Chris Anckaert

Subject: Vole gets tough with Jordanian pirates

I'm a bit curious how MS is portrayed as having such a hard time making profit and how gates is portrayed as giving away all his money to charity yet forbes bumps him up in the richest man of the world list because he gained 6 BILLION dollar last year, something doesn't add up, did gates gain from his apple shares? or did he place a bet against microsoft at 100:1 odds? I wonder

W.

Subject: AMD

There might have been a day when changing from one company to another to obtain the fastest processor made sense. Except for the most demanding of users, that is no longer the case. While it may be true that Intel processors are currently faster than AMD, there is no compelling reason to throw your AMD based system out in the yard and go running to your local computer store, with huge wads of cash in hand, to hungrily purchase this new and wonderful processor from Intel.

It is true that that AMD may fail but that will be primarily because of a lack of brand loyalty throughout the industry. Rather than rushing out to buy an Intel processor, unless there is a truly compelling need, we should rush out and buy a new and faster AMD processor. The funds, so spent, will enable AMD to continue to flourish. It is absolutely fundamental that AMD not fail. Do you think for a moment that we would have our current superfast processors, that can be purchased for reasonable prices, without the competition that AMD provides. It is very likely that the price of processors would be much higher and the speed of such processors would be much slower. Without the intense competition within the processor market place there would be little incentive for Intel to provide faster processors.

The dollars would have gone and will certainly go in the future, to the stockholders instead of into research. One only has to look in the direction of Microsoft to see what happens when there is a lack of competition. We receive useless programs like Vista, and if we want something better where do we turn? Much of this process of rushing out to buy the new Intel offerings is about peer pressure.

Trade your AMD based systems in for an Intel-based system at your peril.

L Babcock

Subject: Microsoft OS/2 Developer

Fernando,

Like you, I used OS/2 quite a bit in its 'heyday', and still use/play with it a bit. I was a 'Charter OS/2 Developer', and was at the first OS/2 Developer Conference in Seattle in 1987, roughly 20 years ago.

The brochures for the event promised a keynote appearance by Bill Gates. Of course he never deigned to showed up. We got Ballmer instead. IBM was nowhere to be seen.

As the conference started, most of the speakers were focusing on Windows, not OS/2. Most attendees were annoyed at first, but by the time the conference ended, the majority of the attendees had bought into it. The biggest item on the closing agenda was the free Windows and Windows SDK that Microsoft was going to send us. (I'd already purchased and been using both of these, and was therefor immune to the propaganda).

How did Windows become the main topic at the OS/2 conference? Microsoft promised - absolutely swore, as I recall, that they would provide a program to automatically translate any Windows programs we wrote into OS/2 PM programs. I sat in wonder at all the programmers around me that bought into that. Of course, Microsoft never did anything other than talk about it.

The entire multi-year run of the developers program was awful, just really awful. Code often didn't run, necessary parts were 'forgotten', features were pushed back and then disappeared, driver support was scant, etc.

IBM's contribution largely seemed to consist of good documentation and poor code. Microsoft contributed swag, average documentation and horrible code. I still have a bunch of the original materials stored away somewhere.

In the end essentially all the promises were broken, and the final release was completely useless. All later releases (much later) came from IBM through other channels. Looking back on it, a couple other early adopters and myself became convinced that Microsoft had only two reasons to 'join' IBM in OS/2 development:

1) Steal the code for a real file system (HPFS/NTFS)
2) Kill OS/2 by tarpitting it until Windows 3.0

Sincerely,
John Campo

Subject: MTV MMO

At least in an MTV MMO, whiny teenage bitch sessions and social backstabbing will be more appropriate to the setting than in a rich fantasy world of dragons and derring do.

I wonder if it will be first person, third person, or isometric - or if, in true MTV style, it will switch between cameras every 100ms? Yes, it should be interesting indeed.

Seriously, from a business perspective MTV has always used their licensing rights to pop music incredibly well; they've managed to actively drive 'youth' (!?#) culture via reality shows, cartoons, clever ads, etc., instead of reacting to it. It's a brilliantly run business, even if it is a fantastically insipid product.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a play at the myspace-style arena via this MMO, although even MTV will have a hard time competing with myspace in the brain-dead sparkly-thing sector...

David

Subject: MTV to launch a 3D world

Horrible, the mind shudders at the thought of an MTV MMO, and it's a worrying growing trend of advertisers and types like that getting into games, I guess it was fun while it lasted and the party is over now for normal people, and it's time to start to look for other ways to entertain yourself.

W

Subject: Death to AGP - Long Live AGP

There are still a hoard of single CPU 2+Ghz systems out there that are more than holding their own against the onslaught of dual and quad proc types with PCI-Express SLI arrangements.

Although I'm in the middle of transitioning to Core2Duo setups, I have three of those Abit NF7-S wonders still cranking out frames from 3D 3D scenes during the day. They are going their 3rd year and do their part in LAN parties held here.

When I read about AGP going the way of the Dodo, I laughed. I hand my PC's down to friends and family members. Whichever company is making AGP cards when they get these systems will get the sale. Multiply that scenario a couple thousand times with businesses donating older PCs, and i think one gets the bigger AGP picture.

Rich

Subject: R600 can use PCI-e connectors

The R600 is more than technically feasible for AGP, as it is only a matter of what current--not older--power supplies have to offer. Currently, a few ATi cards, such as Power Color's 1950 Pro and GeCube's X1950 XT on AGP, already use PCI-e 6-pin connectors. It seems that what matters is a number of 12v wires, not 5v, for ATi cards.

So, if a R600 were blessed (cursed?) with an AGP slot, it shouldn't be that difficult. The real issues with this project would be power supply and case related. A high end power supply unit that supported Crossfire or SLI would be a necessity. I can't think of many older psus that have that kind of juice. A case to fit the damn thing might be require a Dremel and some big holesaws.

Like anything that comes to market, the economics behind running an R600 on AGP will have to be something to that consumers can afford or perceive that they can. I don't see that happening, do you?

Thanks for the info, though; I just might upgrade my ATi 8500 to a X2600 or something if available in AGP.

Robin

Subject: OS/2

When OS/2 first came out, I was working in a software company selling CICS, VSAM, DB/2 recovery software for the main frame.

At that time we were all excited about it. But it was hard to install it. It was very picky about the hardware, and even RAM has to be this and that brand for it to work.

Back then IBM promise OS/2 will run all Windows Apps and the soft spoken Steve said he will eat the floppy if IBM can pull it off. Finally MSFT sued IBM for certain infringements and then IBM gave a list to MSFT telling them what technology they were using belongs to IBM. Since then both side agree not to sue each other.

When Win95 comes out, hardware has improved so much that it was easy to install both systems then.

IBM has a tradition of charging a whole lot for their software. The MVS thing cost millions and they want to do the same with OS/2.

Win95 was very cheap and IBM was totally not in the mode of competition. People already told them they are killing the OS if they want to charge mainframe price the PC OS. If they continue to do that, they are killing the thing. Later on, OS/2 was really dying, people beg them to open source it and let user support it. They were so selfish to let it die instead of open sourcing.

I really do not think IBM is worried about the MSFT technolgy embedded in OS/2 as mentioned above. They simply don't want to open source it.

Regarding the vaopour ware and FUD thing, IBM was the master of the trade. They made a lot of claims about their mainframe box and MVS so that people will not buy Hiachi and Amhdal box. MSFT learned from them and use it very successfully against the old grand master.

It was interesting to see that SONY's PS3 was doing the same to XBOX360. When XBOX360 comes out, many people were waiting for the PS3 because of all the pormise and that it will be coming out next spring. That explains partly of 360's slow start.

I just hope OS/2 will be open sourced. When it was designed, it was modelled on VM, the othe mainframe OS beside MVS that IBM was selling. We all have very high expectation from it. It was sad to see it go this way.

Rgds
Jeff

Subject: Vista & HW Sales

Nick,

Microsoft announces a 200% increase in initial sales of Vista over initial sales of XP. This is debunked to show that it would be impossible to have done that. It is simply Microsoft trying to keep confidence in their company. Remember when Vista was delayed and we heard a roar of dissatisfaction from their employees? It is because they wanted to exercise their stock options when the stock began to rise after Vista sales.

Unfortunately the DRM/CRM infested OS just hasn't been selling particularly well because of the DRM/CRM infestation. I let everyone know that I come in contact with how Microsoft is ignoring our privacy and how hostile Microsoft has become toward the customer. Nothing like having Walmart enter your home to search it to determine if all the things you have from them aren't stolen. Well, Microsoft is doing exactly that. People don't like that violation of privacy.

So, why would this be a surprise to anyone? If Vista wasn't so badly infected with DRM/CRM I might recommend upgrades to it. But as it is it just isn't worth the time, lack of drivers and support, and the fact that the OS just has no compelling reason to upgrade. I let people know this. They should know it.

It works like this. Sell the computer as a commodity electronics part and then expect everyone to rush to upgrade it? I don't think so. You can't advertise computers as if they were toasters or VCRs and then expect everyone to go out and get the newest one just because the front panel controls have changed. The problem is that Microsoft is still thinking like a tech company instead of like a consumer product company--and that answers why they are so hostile toward the customers.

As a consumer I am not going to go out and upgrade my VCR just because someone put a pretty face on top of it. In Vista's case they also put a lot of hidden stuff that violates our privacy and essentially becomes a "Walmart" searching your home to ensure you haven't stolen anything from their store. Is there any wonder why no one wants to buy the pig with lipstick?

JD Blaich

Subject: OS/2 is 20 years old today

Great article! I had a bunch of friends back in Austin who were very involved with OS/2, and it is great to see someone who actually has a clue write about the OS. The funny thing is I remember many an NT vs. Warp argument back then, and I always took the attitude that it didn't matter how good Warp was, IBM would never give the OS enough support for it to matter. Years later I would run into the guys, and they would still be going on about how amazing the newest version of OS/2 was, and I would still shake my head and say that it didn't matter. Looks like that turned out to be the case.

Of course back then it seems like there were a lot of alternative OSs than no one ever really put any muscle or support behind. It was like everybody just kind of half-heartedly threw out an x86 OS and then sat around waiting to see if maybe it would catch on all by itself before they committed too much to it.

LM Lloyd

Subject: AMD confirms future AGP support

the problem however being that agp chipsets dont have vista drivers at all or very unstable ones.

so what good is a dx10 card if you cant use dx10 at all because there are no vista drivers?

so basically people can only use it for dx9, hence the new rv6xx parts need to be faster than the current agp parts or have a much better price performance ratio.

a 1950pro is pretty fast and has a good price perf ratio, and the price will even go down... so i dont think there will be a big demand for rv6xx agp parts.

Sascha Krohn

Subject: Tiscali blames Vista

Oh that's a new one, I haven't heard that one... YET!

I've only been with Tiscali 3 weeks, and so far it's been terrible. I wouldn't trust the customer support call centre in India to correctly take my Saturday curry order, let alone diagnose something technical.

I emailed them tracert's with huge packet losses 4 hops down the path (on their network) and they told me to use a different DNS, and then when I laughed at them (as much as you can laugh in an email) they told me to flush the cache in IE... And that was after I'd selected OS "other" in their drop down selector (I do use windows, but I'm a 100% Fireferret user, so thought that would avoid stupid IE "solutions").

You really should have a look at the tiscali support forums, it's full of people rapidly loosing their hair (and that's just the girls!).

Ooooh, what's that one the tele? Another Tiscali advert... Oh gawd, more poor suckers to squeeze onto their underspec'ed network... Oh goody.

Steve

Subject: OS/2 Article

What a great Article...I still love OS/2 and use it everyday. It's nice to see someone call it out again and show people it's REAL history and give it respect it really deserves!

Bravo!

C Miller

Subject: Wii aren't in right now, please leave a message

Adam Bunni wrote that Nintendo must be clogging its supply chain because the Wii is sold out, while Sony must have a superior supply chain because the PS3 is in stock.

While that's theoretically possible, the fact is that the Wii has sold many more units than the PS3, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Here's one reporter's take on it: redherring.com

Or, you could just ask at your local games store, how long the respective units sit on shelves. I've confirmed with many stores that the PS3s tend to sit a while, while the Wii's are sold as soon as they're in stock. That alone speaks volumes.

Sorry, but Nintendo is kicking Sony's a** at the moment.

Ben

Subject: Wowfee

Thanks for the report on Wowfee. I believe I previously read elsewhere that it gives about every third person serious stomach cramps and that some times it's served stone cold.

Must be the name, eh?

Ken Rob

Subject: Trying to start something

Microsoft's latest operating system needs a nickname. How about calling it Windows Fister?

Richard Hutchison

Subject: Not Ready for Vista

Yep, many of our PC's won't run Vista. They don't make julienne fries either.

In both cases, no one here much cares.

Best Regards,
Scott J

Subject: Channel has no clue

The "channel" has demonstrated in the past that it has no clue what is actually happening in the PC industry, which explains a lot of industry problems.

Oli

Subject: Wii aren't in right now, please leave a message- Part 2

Further to my earlier email, I thought you might be interested in the results of my search for a Wii.I trawled Edinburgh city centre this afternoon, naturally not expecting success.I returned empty handed, of course, but what was most interesting was the responses I got from the various shops I visited.

First of all, it is worth pointing out that I did not find a single shop in which the PS3 was out of stock, at least on the face of it.In John Lewis I could see at least 8 boxed PS3s in a locked cabinet (not dummy boxes), and when someone in front of me asked how many they had in HMV, the shop assistant said 'about 10'.I really don't think this bodes well for the PS3, but it's certainly preferable to what I found to be the case for the Wii.

The stores I checked were: HMV, Virgin, GAME, John Lewis, Woolworths, Currys Digital, Argos, Gamestation.As I have said, none had a Wii in stock, and ONLY Gamestation were allowing pre-orders-they said that they expected pre-orders to be fulfilled within about 3 weeks. Virgin said that they didn't know when they would be getting any in, but that it was worth ringing every morning to check.HMV said that, when they get them, they come every other Thursday, so they MIGHT have some coming in next Thursday.GAME, of all people, said that they had no idea when they would be getting any more in, and that they hadn't had a Wii in more than 3 weeks (I fear for their kidneys!).Most frightening/hilarious, Currys Digital said that they hadn't had one since before Christmas, and Woolworths said that they had received ONE Wii...since release!

All in all, it was enough to make you Wiip.I'm sure Nintendo are probably happy that there are PS3s in abundance in the shops, while Wiis (or is Wii plural?) are as rare as gilt hen's teeth, but I find it hard to believe that they would not choose to satisfy more eager Wii-seekers if they were able to.

Adam Bunni

Subject: DRM

I'm Sure this came about after they saw the mass hysteria of folks hating the DRM junk in Vista, wouldn't you say?

Mataroo

Subject: Being fat and ripping a suit.

That letter/post was complete garbage. An OS isn't tailor made to fit your PC. Nor are 99% of all products on the planet. Comparing an OS that's built for millions of people to having a custom made suit is like comparing a condom to a suit. If it breaks, it's sure as hell not their fault. Besides, if you're clowning around in a blinking suit, and it rips... who the hell would be p*ssed at the maker of the suit? Lose a few pounds and you won't have that problem. I'm sure a suit isn't your only problem.

I'd rather compare it to something a bit more expensive, like... a car. Maybe ANY car... if you're so blinking huge that you sit your ass down into a car and break the seat, they're not going to cover it under warranty. Lose a few blinking pounds. Better yet, maybe you should go blame the spoon you ate with, if your sense of analogy reasoning is that rediculous.

Blooming SSSSSTUPID people.

Matt

Subject: IT Europa

This is the same class of guys as those who predicted a simply wonderful sales record for the Itanium and got it 95% wrong, right ?

And when something bad happens later in the year, or when the beans are finally counted next year, any discrepancy with the forecast will be blamed on anything but a forecast error, right ?

What is it with shamanic rituals that we still haven't gotten over slitting open a fowl to divine portents over its disemboweled remains ? Are the statistics companies any better these days ? What have they actually gotten right in the past ten years ?

I'd like to see a reliability record for Garter et. al. I'd like to see their accuracy score and I want it unobfuscated by corporate BS.

Pascal