Re: [SIGFS] if (m_Windows95 + gpl_Crashing) { userBase++; } // ?

[C McKinley <lamfada@pconline.com>]

Ya know, BYTE mag recently had an article about crash-proof computing
(April 1998 V23#4), and they noted some of the differences between
mainframes and PCs.  Some of the differences are costly, like redundant
hardware and competant administration (quality &/or quantity), but a lot of
problems stem from the code bloat of WIMP systems, poor MS-style memory
protection, etc.  Also, shared libs on a system can cause crashes when a
program relies on an older version, but there is no way of knowing this
until after you have upgraded.  And how many of us would use alpha or beta
software on a "mission critical" machine?  Yet more and more people are
using this untested software on their home systems.  Also, just adding RAM,
which is pretty cheap now, can alleviate many problems.

So, if you really want to know what the scoop is on why PCs have problems,
etc, check this article out.  CNET just wants to sell Windoze software.
There wasn't any information in that article that would help you
crash-proof your systems, and of course the protectors were buggy, too.

-Chris

JoshB [JellyD/L] wrote:

> I'm highly curious to know why the Microsoft userbase is so tolerant of
> crashing applications. It's almost an enigma. For example, this ran on
> CNET today, and I'm willing to bet that a lot of Windows95 users visited
> the site today, just for this article.
>
> ----8<----
> *******************************************
> 1. CRASH NO MORE: FIVE CRASH PROTECTION UTILITIES REVIEWED
>
> "Illegal operation"--do these words strike fear into your heart?
> Are you terrified of losing that term paper, presentation, or
> cover letter? Crash protectors can catch failing programs before
> they hit the ground, then drag them back to life. At the very
> least, they'll let you hit the Save command before your entire
> system tumbles:
>
>   http://www.cnet.com/Content/Reviews/Compare/Crash/?dd
>
> *****************************************
> ----8<----
>
> It boggles the mind. This could be a valid point in the swich-to-Linux
> topic, IMHO.
>
> Dunno, just came to mind. Maybe I need more caffeine, or sleep.
>
> Or both.
>
> -JoshB [JellyD] [joshb@techie.com]
> [UIN:197861] [IRC:DALNet:#!safehaven]