Re: life extension of old computers thanks to opensource Contiki

["Herb Johnson" <herbrjohnson@gmail.com>]

big_d_316@yahoo.com wrote:
> How many people out there believe that life of old 8-bit systems and
> old 16-bit systems life will be spared because of Contiki? I believe
> this OS is the answer that all 8-bitters have been looking for....
>  The future of 8-bit
> computers is still wide open, and it is nice to see an OS like Contiki
> to make them sore [soar?]. So programmers develope for it, and make it grand.
> Users, use it, and reap from it's benefits.

These comments make a lot of assumptions, so I took time to respond and
comment. But as this message was posted to several Usenet groups, I'll
only respond in depth in comp.os.cpm where I normally hang out - that's
my own policy. Go there if what I say below is of interest.

My short reply is that, based on my experience with people dumping old
S-100 systems (1970's to early 1980's, CP\M, Z80 & 8088), is that not
many of those systems will be saved from the dumpster just because some
kind of new OS is also available for them. The biggest obstacle to
saving old, big systems is the reluctance of owners to pack and ship
'em! There are already other OS's to try on those systems from years
ago, a "new" OS is not revolutionary. I think most of the interest in
the computers I'm speaking about is in their OLD OS's - but more power
to those who want to soup them up, like building a hot rod from a
1930's car.

Contiki looks like fun, nonetheless. So thanks for the post!

Herb Johnson

Herbert R. Johnson, voice 609-771-1503, New Jersey USA
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