Re: Apple and the Holy War

[Phoenyx <quazar@dcnet2000.com>]

Paul Schlyter wrote:
> 
> Backwards compatibility offers both advantages and disadvantages.
> You point to some disadvantages here.  But htere are advantages too:
> for instance you don't have to throw away all your old software when
> you get a new system.

I don't doubt the advantages. It is possible to convert or adapt
data files to newer programs. New programs can also offer a
similar interface. This is especially true in Linux since the
old file system is still supported.

> > If the system never had to go to 'real' mode and could run in
> > it's native mode full time things would be fine.
> 
> You can do that on a PC -- if you run Linux or Free-BSD on it.
> 
> > To get around this the software (read OS) providers can fix
> > most of this.
> 
> It's already fixed -- in Linux and Free-BSD.

Yes, I use Linux as my primary OS and hope to see the
day it will become the 'standard'.

> Therefore the BIOS isn't used in protected mode.

Of course, it's only used at system boot. However,
this forces other hardware to be compatible with
both modes. Better hardware could be made if this
limitation was removed.

-- 

Cheers and best wishes,
Phoenyx

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