Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The black rectangle won't last as long as the beige box

It looks like putting #Linux on #Microsoft's new #Surface  is going to be an up hill struggle. I was actually expecting that...

The era of the commodity beige box is coming to an end, and the days of the general purpose computer are almost over. Most people never needed or wanted a general purpose computer, and they're going to be happy with more limited devices optimised for a single, or a few, purposes. So long as those devices just work.

As a scientist I've benefited from being able to take mass produced PCs and be able to put them on desks very cheaply. The amount of compute power we've had access to as a result meant that money that would otherwise have been spent on expensive high end workstations could be spent elsewhere.

Those of us that need general purpose computing; designers, developers, scientists, are going to have to go out and buy increasingly expensive niche machines, effectively old-fashioned workstations. High end computing platforms that the general population just don't need on their desk or in their pocket.

The fact you can't install #Linux  on the new #Surface  is just the start of what is going to be an increasingly obvious trend. It's just a symptom. The things that are open and the things that are closed are changing. Time to wake up and realise that. Being able to install #Linux  on your PC isn't important any more.

I think a lot of the web and mobile people are making the same mistake today that Nokia made five years ago, Nokia was all about the hardware and wasn't watching the software hard enough...

Today people are all about the software and aren't watching the hardware hard enough. Today's mobile phone, the black rectangle with, at most, a single button is a transition device. Don't get too comfortable with it, and don't stop thinking about innovation. Because the black rectangle won't last as long as the beige box.

54 comments:

  1. Al, I'm not sure what you're really trying to say here. I've never understood the fascination on installing Linux on weird devices like PS3's, nor why you'd want it on a Surface, unless you really really like the ergonomics of that platform (and I don't).

    Many fewer of us will have PCs in the sense that we know them today, but that's because most people don't want or need a PC. They just want to listen to music, watch videos, chat with their friends or surf the web at the touch of a button. And that's why those black rectangles sell so well at the moment, as people are ditching their desktops and even their laptops in favour of something simpler and sexier.

    On the other hand there are those of use who will always want a PC of some form so they can write code. Let's face it, where are all those mobile apps going to get developed - not on iPhones or Galaxies!

    So a Surface is not a PC, and installing Linux on it doesn't make sense. Buy a Raspberry Pi, buy a Macbook (I love mine to bits, what with the SSD and retina display and 16G ram; and yes it's not running Linux but will compile every Linux/Unix app I've thrown at it so far). What we have now is more choice than we ever had before, and that seems to be a Good Thing to me.

    Cheers

    Keith S.


    ReplyDelete

  2. topicGuy
    Hair growth needs correct care and maintenance of the follicles. however to realize this objective, knowledgeable help is additionally terribly necessary. Otherwise, you have got to witness constant hair fall that is certainly terribly irritating and embarrassing.

    These days, folks typically prefer to obtain shampoos that come back while not parabens and sulfates. In fact, these area unit one amongst the economical hair growth product that job quite cleanly to deliver the expected outcome while not poignant the scalp. you’ll clearly notice a distinction within the hair quality whereas mistreatment such shampoos inside a shorter period.

    Administer Conditioner
    These area unit one amongst the popular hair care product that perform quite dead to forestall hair injury throughout the year. you need to develop the habit of applying a conditioner product of a acknowledged complete to preserve hair health and shine on a durable basis. This shall additionally facilitate your scalp to derive a relaxed and soothing impact throughout the night.
    Bring Damaged Hair Back

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an interesting story! I'm glad I finally found what I was looking for 메이저토토사이트.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice to be visiting your blog once more, it has been months for me. Well this article that ive been waited for therefore long. i want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and 안전놀이터 has same topic together with your article. Thanks, nice share.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm writing on this topic these days, , but I have stopped writing because there is no reference material. Then I accidentally found your article. I can refer to a variety of materials, so I think the work I was preparing will work! Thank you for your efforts. 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a post I've been looking for! I'm very happy to finally read this post. 토토커뮤니티 Thank you very much. Can I refer to your post on my website? Your post touched me a lot and helped me a lot. If you have any questions, please visit my site and read what kind of posts I am posting. I am sure it will be interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I want to start a blog to write about everything that happens at school and
    with friends…anonymously…any sugestions?.토렌트순위


    ReplyDelete
  8. I've been searching for hours on this topic and finally found your post. , I have read your post and I am very impressed. We prefer your opinion and will visit this site frequently to refer to your opinion. When would you like to visit my site? 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  9. While looking for articles on these topics, I came across this article on the site here. As I read your article, I felt like an expert in this field. I have several articles on these topics posted on my site. Could you please visit my homepage? 우리카지노

    ReplyDelete
  10. My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from 메이저놀이터. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he's tryiong none the less.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a nice post! I'm so happy to read this. 토토커뮤니티 What you wrote was very helpful to me. Thank you. Actually, I run a site similar to you. If you have time, could you visit my site? Please leave your comments after reading what I wrote. If you do so, I will actively reflect your opinion. I think it will be a great help to run my site. Have a good day.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's a really impressive new idea! 토토커뮤니티 It touched me a lot. I would love to hear your opinion on my site. Please come to the site I run once and leave a comment. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your writing is perfect and complete. However, I think it will be more wonderful if your post includes additional topics that I am thinking of. I have a lot of posts on my site similar to your topic. Would you like to visit once? 토토커뮤니티

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts.먹튀검증커뮤니티

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is one very interesting post. I like the way you write and I will bookmark your blog to my favorites.메이저놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  16. Many thanks for the article, I have a lot of spray lining knowledge but always learn something new. Keep up the good work and thank you again. 먹튀사이트

    ReplyDelete
  17. I found the answer I was looking for in your article. I'm going to quote your article and write it on a blog. 바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm writing on this topic these days, Kèo hay, but I have stopped writing because there is no reference material. Then I accidentally found your article. I can refer to a variety of materials, so I think the work I was preparing will work! Thank you for your efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's really great. Thank you for providing a quality article. There is something you might be interested in. Do you know 토토커뮤니티 ? If you have more questions, please come to my site and check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I getactually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly. สมัครยูฟ่าเบท

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looking at this article, I miss the time when I didn't wear a mask. Kèonhàcái Hopefully this corona will end soon. My blog is a blog that mainly posts pictures of daily life before Corona and landscapes at that time. If you want to remember that time again, please visit us.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Recently, I have started to read a lot of unique articles on different sites, and I am enjoying that a lot. Although, I must tell you that I still like the articles here a lot. They are also unique in their own way. 안전놀이터추천

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You. 온라인경마

    ReplyDelete
  24. I precisely needed to thank you so much yet again. I do not know the things I would’ve taken care of without these secrets contributed by you regarding this problem. It seemed to be a very frightful crisis for me, but encountering a new well-written tactic you processed it forced me to jump with contentment. 토토

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have been looking for articles on these topics for a long time. Kèobóngđá I don't know how grateful you are for posting on this topic. Thank you for the numerous articles on this site, I will subscribe to those links in my bookmarks and visit them often. Have a nice day.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great web site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks in your effort! 야설

    Also visit my web site;
    야설

    ReplyDelete
  27. This blog is very informative the stuff you provide I really enjoyed reading 국산야동
    Also visit my web site 국산야동

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. 일본야동
    Also visit my web site 일본야동

    ReplyDelete
  29. I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates.
    야설
    Also visit my web site 야설

    ReplyDelete
  30. Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Cheers! 메이저놀이터

    ReplyDelete

  31. I am not speaking about totally free pens and espresso mugs
    using your emblem to them, I am speaking in regards to the digital immediate obtain supplies.
    In the last a few years, it is now possible, due to the boom inside the on the web industry.
    Check out the bingo reviews to get additional information regarding particular online bingo site and you will earn extensive money.카지노



    (IVY)



    ReplyDelete
  32. Your site is excellent. I was extremely touched by this write-up. I'm so delighted to locate the write-up I have actually been trying to find for a very long time. I covet the number of individuals sympathize with your writing. You find out a great deal of expertise from my writing. 바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great Article
    Cloud Computing Projects


    Networking Projects


    Final Year Projects for CSE


    JavaScript Training in Chennai



    JavaScript Training in Chennai



    The Angular Training covers a wide range of topics including Components, Angular Directives, Angular Services, Pipes, security fundamentals, Routing, and Angular programmability. The new Angular TRaining will lay the foundation you need to specialise in Single Page Application developer. Angular Training

    ReplyDelete
  34. Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! ethical hacking institutes in hyderabad

    ReplyDelete
  35. is one very interesting post. 메이저사이트I like the way you write and I will bookmark your blog to my favorites.


    ReplyDelete
  36. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article :D 먹튀검증


    ReplyDelete
  37. What a post I've been looking for! I'm very happy to finally read this post. 안전놀이터 Thank you very much. Can I refer to your post on my website? Your post touched me a lot and helped me a lot. If you have any questions, please visit my site and read what kind of posts I am posting. I am sure it will be interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  38. In my opinion, the item you posted is perfect for being selected as the best item of the year. You seem to be a genius to combine 우리카지노 and . Please think of more new items in the future!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Impressive. Your story always bring hope and new energy. Keep up the good work. Data Analytics Course in Vadodara

    ReplyDelete
  40. alcohol withdrawal cause headaches is a hallucinogenic drug. This means that when consumed, it causes the user to have unusual experiences such as hearing sounds, seeing illusions, and feeling things that are not actually there. A drug with an extensive history of both medicinal and recreational use, LSD use does not come without risks. An acid trip can last 12 hours or more, and when it goes wrong it can go terribly wrong. This substance is common at raves, parties, and music festivals, so knowing what acid looks like and understanding the risks is imperative, especially for young adults and teenagers.

    ReplyDelete
  41. The We Level Up FL zoloft tingling sensations emotional wellness community is an exceptionally particular, present day, forward-thinking office giving imaginative conduct recuperation treatment programs. Treatments happen in a serene manicured setting with open air unwinding regions offering restoration spaces. Giving science-based psychological wellness medicines intended for every customer and conveyed through profoundly customized individual consideration.

    ReplyDelete
  42. The cocaine addiction treatment program stage is the initial phase in treating liquor addiction. Withdrawal indications normally die down inside around one to about fourteen days subsequent to beginning detox; be that as it may, this could take longer relying upon the seriousness of your Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). From that point, you will actually want to zero in on different parts of the recuperation cycle, like various exercises, treatments, advising meetings, and backing choices.

    ReplyDelete
  43. We Level Up rehab centers houston tx offers top-tier addiction treatment detox using evidence-based therapy along with secondary dual diagnosis programs.

    ReplyDelete
  44. It's the same topic , but I was quite surprised to see the opinions I didn't think of. My blog also has articles on these topics, so I look forward to your visit.baccarat

    ReplyDelete
  45. Impressive. Your story always bring hope and new energy. Keep up the good work. Data Scientist Course in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  46. An intriguing discussion may be worth comment. I’m sure you should write much more about this topic, may well be described as a taboo subject but generally folks are too little to chat on such topics. An additional. Cheers 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  47. There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also. Keep working, great job! Data Science Training in Dehradun

    ReplyDelete
  48. Singapore Translators is Singapore registered translation companies provide translation services, we have 20 years experience we worked with 500+ professional translators who are skilled to translate legal and official documents.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thank you so much for sharing such a great doggy style snoop dog lightweight style jacket and knowledgeable blog. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

  50. Thanks for sharing with us this important Content.
    슬롯사이트

    found exactly what I used to be having a look for.
    슬롯사이트

    ReplyDelete
  51. Good article
    In some conditions that are specific, felony charges can arise by your reckless driving. After you have been charged with reckless driving in Henrico County, speak to a skilled Henrico, Virginia reckless driving lawyer.
    Henrico Traffic Lawyer
    Traffic Lawyer Henrico , VA

    ReplyDelete