Updates to UNIX vs. NT web page

[Jaron Omega]

On Sun, 22 Dec 2002, Alan Buck wrote:

> MTBF: None of my windows(NT, 2K, and XP) go down once a week. Do you have 
> empirical evidence for this, or are you just quoting the standard line? 
> Most of the "reboot it and it will go away" mentality comes from bad 
> administrators, not the OS itself.

I've seen NT servers stay up and running for relatively long periods of
time.  Note the use of "relatively", and a week though short and probably
implies a bad administrator, is about average.  Empirical evidence???
Observation of NT servers in real world applications, including those that
I had an indirect obligation to.  Sadly the excuse of bad administrators
is not viable, the viable fact is that there are many bad administrators
and the invalidity comes to light considering the fact you can't do anything
about them on a large enough scale.  In other words they are there, so deal
with them; they aren't an excuse as if they may be wisked away, they are part
of the environment.... embedded.

> Multi-user support: I am writing this while logged into a machine in 
> Memphis. I have a full desktop with the ability to run every application 
> installed on the machine (with the exception of most games).

But you are the only one.  Hence NT's inability to be multi-user.  They do
have some outrageous priced product.... what is it, terminal server?  But
it's shit, pure crap and nothing comparable to the multi-user environment of
UNIX and it's myriad variants.  I've used it, and no matter what Microsoft
does, the UI is inherently focused to a single instance of an environment
a single application etc, a single user feeling.  Disregard any third party
add-ons, keep it real only think of the capabilities of the average Windows
CD any particular person may have at any given time, not some half assed
twenty thousand dollar suite with third party addons.

> Clustering ability: Huh, what a surprise to find that the 2K cluster I work 
> on daily, apparently doesn't exist. =)
> See http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/clustering.asp
> 
> Support: Depends on the problem you are having. Some Linux problems are 
> very well documented, and a quick search on google will find the solution. 
> Same goes for Windows. Some Windows problems are incredibly obscure, and 
> obtaining the solution will take lots of time and effort. Same goes for Linux.

The difference is that a problem with Linux depends on the knowledge of the
person tasked to take care of the issue.  If he knows a great deal, he can
patch his own system, write his own code etc.  Windows, even if you have a firm
understanding of some problem, due to it's proprietary implementation there is
nothing you can do.

> As has been said many times, choose the best tool for you to do the job. 
> Here's hoping the above points help you make a fairer page.

Or a more Microsoft baised page?  Hey, it's legal if we the underdogs bullshit
a little, there's nothing we can say or do to knock us off the moral high
ground in relation to Microsoft.  If you hit someone first, and they hit you
back don't stand there and demand an apology from them.

Omega