[PLUG] PSX

[A Braunsdorf]

In message <37D82478.DB71D2E2@imagestream-is.com>, Richard June writes:
>
> I would have to say that a handheld linux machine would be infinitly
> more useful than a handheld dos machine.

I wouldn't.  They're about the same.  What infinite amount or
infinitely better things are you going to do on Linux versus DOS
in your hand?  Run existing software?  Edit documents?  Compile
programs?  Balance your checkbook?


> Nor am I disagreeing that the
> time spent porting might be better spent masturbating, but people do
> stuff like that for the same reason people climb mountains, because they
> can.

And if they'd put one tenth of the effort into providing things
people actually need or making the good stuff they have more usable,
people would actually >use< Linux on some of those platforms.  I'm
not arguing against UNIX for the masses- I'm arguing for getting
some real use out of it.

I'm the most militant hardcore pro-UNIX brutha around.  What makes
me sick is watching all these slashdotter wannabes acting like UNIX
in and of itself makes stuff better.  It doesn't.

Example: UNIX keeps my Mac from crashing (and well- it has never
crashed), but OPENSTEP makes it useful.  And unlike MacOS it makes
programs easier to write and maintain too.  I'm hoping GNUSTEP does
the same for all other UNIX.  Now that 0.6.0 is out, I'm itching
to really get in there and test it.  You think I'm an evangelist
now, just wait until this thing really works.

And another: Star Office is giving a lot of people what they need
on their UNIX machines- MSOffice compatibility.  That program's
worth more than yet another Linux port.  Until there's a critical
mass of Linux applications, nobody's going to care where they can
run but the drooling fanboys.

And yet another: video editing under Linux?!  Sorry, real-time
stuff needs a real-time system.  Render unto Avid (or Amiga :-) )
that which is Avid's...


> besides, if you could get a keyboard and modem for a playstation,
> run linux w/ a browser and e-mail client there are valid uses. I would
> do it, why? because then my family could get on the internet w/out tying
> up my computer(my ma's windows box won't work w/ a modem for some
> strange reason, and it's too far for a network.

It's called WebTV, or a Saturn with Sega's web browser, or the
equivalent that'll be out for Dreamcast/PSX/PSX2 soon.  You don't
need to use Linux to get web and email access.  Lots of people do
it with other stuff (even, *gasp*, MSWindows!)- and better,
unfortunately.  The people wasting time on redoing this stuff should
cut it out and >really< advance the state of UNIX.

Why's your ma need a Windows box?  Because Linux bites for what
she wants.  Want to be a hero?  Change that.

ab