ML> Mate I run my BBS on a Compaq Deskpro Pentium 100, 64 
 ML> mb ram & 2 gb disk. No hardware failures for me for 
 ML> half a decade plus.

The computer I run the bbs on is 9 years old now.  It was fine until about
2 years ago when memory went bad, a hard drive failed, video card died,
power supply failed and most recently the cpu fan needed replacing.  It's
getting hard to find CPU fans for Pentium II's :) This did not happen all
at once. It happened over 2 years. The hard drive in the computer is noisy,
I'd love to retire that machine.


 ML> I used to be pro-Linux pro-Unix everything ... until I 
 ML> realised I was caught in Linux elitist hype I grew out 
 ML> of it. Even the anti-MS jokes became lame. 

I was never an anti MS person or a linux/unix elitist. I enjoy using
windows and have it on several machines at the office.  I've also been an
on/off linux user for 9 years and just like it.  My pro-Solaris'ness is
because I really like Solaris, and Sun.  I also bought Windows Vista
because I know how important it is to know Windows, and I like it. Our
clients deploy our Java software on Windows. 


 ML> These days I'm a cost-driven enterprising maniac. I live to make $$$.
 ML> Like most people I build upon existing skills, and I 
 ML> have a bigger Windows skill base than Unix due to 
 ML> employment opportunity outcomes. Time is precious, 

Since I'm a java developer I can work on linux or unix, run linux and unix
servers, but deploy to production Windows servers because that is what the
client knows and uses.  We don't have any linux or unix clients.  

The #1 thing that I love about linux and solaris is that I can use it at no
cost.  One day I want to start up a software company of my own (if I ever
have a product to make) and can have very low IT costs. Free OS on servers
and workstations, free IDE, free databases, free compilers, free
application servers, even free support from mailing lists.  Sun employees
are so willing to help they've even VNC'd into my computer for 2 hours for
free to help me understand their product. If clients want to deploy using
WebShere, Oracle and Windows then great. We do that too.  


 ML> employment opportunity outcomes. Time is precious, 
 ML> which explains my natural ignorance towards learning 
 ML> anything I won't use to make money :) (via employment, 
 ML> capital growth or business ventures) which includes 
 ML> Solaris. Except the BBS.

Same here. Solaris isn't a hobby thing to learn for fun to me, it's serious
stuff for use at work.  Having it at home helps me gain more experience.  I
intend on making a long term carreer out of Java and Solaris.  Everyone
knows Java, but how many can fill the jobs that demand both?  There aren't
tons of these jobs, but they are high paying and for real big companies. 
There has been over 7 million downloads of Solaris 10 and there really are
companies that use it.


 ML> My guess is your Solaris fanaticism is derived from 
 ML> finding some Java job in a large company that purports 
 ML> an high employee valuing atmosphere and provides strong 
 ML> job security and career progression opportunities so 
 ML> you see yourself easily vested for the next 5 - 10 
 ML> years. 
 ML> Heh. Excuse my blatant cynicism :P

I have been working for 9 years at this company, and yes I have climbed the
ladder a bit.  We've recently joined the Sun Partner Advantage program, and
the future of all our products is in Java.  I said it before, I like
Solaris because of the features I outlined, it's free if you don't want to
pay, and I intend on making a career out of it.


 ML> It's a wholesome feeling. I've experienced it. I 
 ML> suggest proceeding with caution if this is the
 ML> situation you're in and avoid being trapped.

I value your opinion. What are you suggesting I do? I'm already an avid
Linux, Windows and Solaris user.  I did say I'm replacing all of my HOME
computers with Solaris, but that doesn't mean my brain will forget
everything about Linux and Windows.  In fact we use Windows on most
workstations at work, and linux on several servers.

 ML> But I'm ultimately a realist :) My only loyalty on 

Me too.


 ML> So far Deuce tells me there were some adaptations in 
 ML> Synchronet code to make it run smoother with DOS EMU. 
 ML> Apart from that nobody's maintaining that part of the 
 ML> source anymore and it's not "needed". I'm still seeking
clarification.

I wonder what they mean by not needed?  That there are no Synchronet sysops
that use this feature? Have they found an other way to run DOS doors, or am
I the only one who wants to run them? Maybe that's why so many people call
back :)

 ML> No worries. I'm curious too; might need to run Maximus 
 ML> on Solaris one day ... :)

Yay!

 RdL> 5) It's been around since 1982.  Rock solid security, 
 RdL> performance and scalability.

 ML> Mainly because of its proprietary nature. You're 
 ML> describing a state of Solaris that requires it to be 
 ML> running on Sun hardware.

You may be saying that the x86 version of Solaris is not secure, performant
and scalable, but the SPARC version is? OpenSolaris has run on x86 and
SPARC since 2005. It runs on any server hardware Red Hat runs on (Dell, HP,
IBM, Compaq, etc) Solaris 10 is based on OpenSolaris. Sun has talked about
changing the license to GPL to be compatible with linux licensing so that
they can share drivers and applications. 

Intel partnered with Sun and is promoting Solaris as THE UNIX for the
enterprise.  Linux is being programmed to run on SPARC thanks to OpenSPARC.
SPARC servers can be cheap, like the T1000 which has 6 cores each running 4
threads. I think it's about $4000. 

Sun open sourced Java 6 in OpenJDK.  They've open sourced their application
server and called it Glassfish. Every bit of software Sun has in their
portfolio is already open source or will be. Sun is one of the most
non-proprietary open company out there.  They are on the JCP committee and
help build open standards.


 ML> I hear there's a mass exodus from Java (back) to C++ :)

Interesting.  I only know a few C and C++ programmers.  They won't bother
learning Java because C and C++ do everything they want and they don't see
it going away.  They're right about it not going away.  All of the Java
programmers I know love Java as religiously as C programmers love C, and
aren't looking back. Beyond basic Java syntax, there are all the JSR
standard APIs and implementations, and the whole Java class library.  The
Java of 2007 is not what it used to be. 

 RdL> engage in a flame war.  You asked why anyone would 
 RdL> want to use Solaris, so I answered. 

 ML> Man you should be an embassador for the UN :)

heheh maybe I should :)  Or maybe I should be a Sun salesman ;)


Thanks,
Ryan

 

--- Maximus 3.01