Re: Minix VS Linux Linux Inside
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Re: Minix VS Linux

 In article <odiug.697209386@cip-s08>, odiug@cip-s08.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Guido Muesch) writes:
 > 
 > 
 > The 8088 is obsolate. And my opinion is that Minix should only support
 > the i386 of all intel architectures in the future. It is to much overhead
 > to support the old 16-bit processors. Minix could be cleaned up easier if
 > the old 16-bit stuff will be removed.
 > 
 > >If I were a student with an 8088 and had a choice of buying Minix for
 > >$169, or spending about $140 for a 16 Mhz 386sx motherboard and get Linux
 > >for free, I think I'd get the new motherboard.
 > 
 > Thats my reason for suggesting NOT to support the old 16-bit architectures.
 > People who are willing to pay $169 for Minix-PC can also spend another $140
 > for a new Motherboard. (If not they still have Linux 8-))
 > 
 You missed the point completely, Guido.  I'll be generous, though, and
 assume it was due to language diffulties.  In smaller words, if you
 already own an 8088 box (and a lot of people still do) then buying a
 new box for $800 is MUCH more expensive than buying a $169 OS that is
 compatible.  Saying "[spend] $140 on a 386 motherboard and get Linux
 for free..." is like saying to Ethiopians "Just buy a plane ticket to
 somewhere where there is a food surplus."  AST made a few good points
 which have been glossed over:  with limited budgets (like mine), and
 a fixed set of hardware, Minix is much more affordable than Linux.
 IF (and only if) that fixed set of hardware jsut HAPPENS to be 386-
 based, THEN Linux is a great bargain.  Your attitude is much like that
 attributed to Marie Antoinette\--"Let them eat cake!"  Atari and Mac
 owners have the wrong hardware. Let them get the proper one! (Note:
 not the proper "ones"--portability, bud, is a GOOD thing.)
 	And as for that statement, "suggesting NOT to support the
 old 16-bit architectures," are you offering to pay for the upgrades?
 Somehow I doubt it.
 	Just for your information (and the world at large) I bought
 Minix 1-1/2 years ago, and my XT-clone 5 years ago for $400.  Since
 then, I've been going to school, not getting rich.  I can hardly
 afford eating regularly, much less keeping up with Intel's CPU-chip
 fashions.  If you want a 32-bit Intel-dedicated OS, go get Linux,
 and get the hell off this newsgroup.  Don't go toasting anyone for
 providing, as Andy Tanenbaum REALLY has, a public service.  Even
 if he doesn't cater to you.
 	There, I've had my day.  Let's call an end to this
 controversy, shall we?  If you prefer Linux, go hang out with the
 Linux crowd over on (I think) alt.linux.  Rag on Minix all you
 can stand there.  Hanging around in comp.os.minix reeks of low
 to lowest class.  And if anyone was going to convert, they already
 would have by now, don't you think? (Really. DON'T you?)
 
 				Vince Paul/vpaul@nmsu.edu
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Vincent J. Paul			   |   vpaul@nmsu.edu
 New Mexico State University	   |   OPR016%BITNET.NMSUVM1
  "I take no resposibility for anyone believing anything I say. Even this."