"Day Brown" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Bob George wrote: > > > Well, if an organization's goal is to run DrDOS, QEMM and Desqview, they're > > in good shape. But what about if they want to run APPS? > I dunno Bob; businesses were run before GUIs somehow.
Lest we lose context: My comments were in response to your question as to what capabilities Linux (which I've used extensively) has over a DOS/Desqview/QEMM combination (which I've used extensively). If someone's already invested in apps, there's often no compelling reason to dump them. But if we're going to compare "features", I think licensing (in addition to the others I listed) is important. You asked. Not all apps are GUI based. I have recollections of WordPerfect, WordStar, dBase, Lotus 1-2-3 and others running well before GUIs became commonplace. But I also have the distinct recollection that those apps typically cost something. The ability for a non-profit or small business to run an OS inexpensively does little for them if the applications that run on that OS are still beyond their reach. Even an in-house developer still has to worry about things like database connector licensing and compiler costs. And many/most organizations don't want to worry about issues raised by playing fast and loose with interpretations of licensing agreements. I'd be interested in a legal interpretation of "abandonware" before I'd recommend it to anybody in business, or operating a non-profit. > They even did it before they had computers. I look at > mainstreet, a bakery, food store, resturant, auto parts, > flower shop, .. and I dont see anything that any of them > are doing which couldnt be handled by a downloadable > spreadsheet and text editors. Yes, but if those editors and spreadsheets are encumbered by onerous licensing restrictions, those need to be figured into the equation, GUI or not. Again, my comments were in reply to your query as to what capabilities were provided by using Linux that were not available using DOS/QEMM/Desqview. > None of them need hires graphics to make sales presentations > in board rooms. Everyone in town already knows what they > sell. Anyone with a survpc knows it wouldnt have any problem > dealing with such a samll customer or such small supplier base. Ditto for Linux. Again, you asked a question to which I'm replying. > A lot of them just do it with a rolodex. Ah, I guess ANY computer is less useful then. Not exactly an advantage for one view or another then, is it? > But I donno what the businesses are like where you are. They do worry about licensing fees and the like. - Bob To unsubscribe from SURVPC send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe SURVPC in the body of the message. Also, trim this footer from any quoted replies. More info can be found at; http://www.softcon.com/archives/SURVPC.html
