[SunRescue] Off Topic OS discussion and flame bait

[Tim Hauber]

rescue at sunhelp.org writes:
>Good!  The more people who know/use anything other than MS windows, the
>better off we are!  :)
>	Greg

At this particular time MS windows is very important to the development of
computing devices and the internet.  Our society now has two distinct
classes of people using computers, the computer users and the internet
users.  Right now "internet devices" are relatively unavailable, either in
developement or still pipe dreams.  When these devices arrive, they will
be very inexpensive, and most likely be imbedded Linux or Java devices,
but in the meantime, the internet users need machines, and they don't want
to learn how to operate computers.  Cheap Windows machines are the only
available option right now.  They can buy a $500 Compaq, plug it in, go
through all that wizard pain-in-the-neck, and be on the internet.  If it
breaks, they can call Compaq, learn how to stick the restore CD in, and
start over.  The alternatives just don't cut it.  Macs are too
expensive(otherwise they are actually better for this purpose) and the
other OSs don't do the idiot proof reinstall, and don't come preinstalled
on department store machines.  

For computer users I definitely agree, let's get away from windows, but
for the internet users, they need windows until they can buy a $100
internet browser they can daisy chain to their TV with their Playstation.

Tim