The creator of Linux is excited about solid-state drives, expects progress in graphics and wireless networking, and says the operating system is strong in virtualization despite his personal lack of interest in the area.
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Member since:2006-10-08
Wow, three replies to my posting... so who didn't notice the ":-)" I appended intentionally? It's all about semantics. Some of you may know that I'm from Germany, so I'd like to tell you what "PC" is in Germany:
First of all, the term "personal computer" has been translated into "Personalcomputer" which is incorrect, because translated back it's "personnel computer". So PC got a synonym for a computer you use in an office (or where personnel uses it), and refering beack to IBM's first announcement, PC got a synonym for an IBM or IBM compatible computer. The meaning "personal = individual" has been lost.
That's the way the term PC is used in Germany today: It's a subset of computers that are IBM compatible (x86) and do run a MICROS~1 OS. With enough power, even if the machine is x86, and if it's running Linux or UNIX, it's a workstation. And if it's built by apple and running Mac OS X, it's a Mac.
computers = ( PC, workstaion, Mac, mainframe, ... )
While you usually use a PC for entertaining purposes, workstaions are used to work on, in most cases. The Mac is is a fine synthesis between both, he makes work entertaining. :-)
"How is a Mac Mini not a personal computer?"
Find it out for yourself. Do you know anyone who owns a Mac, le's say, a Mac Mini, or a MacBook? Try to convince him he owns a PC. This is what you will hear: "Dude, this is not a PC, IT'S A MAC!!!" :-)
"I can only guess that by "PC" you mean x86-compatible PC."
Yes, and this can be refined to require a MICROS~1 OS to be run.
"Are you suggesting that it's not possible for a "PC" to run quietly?"
I won't say it's not possible because I build such systems myself. I just want to say that in most cases, PCs are louder than, let's say, a Mac Mini. This is due to electronic garbage that is sold in Germany as PCs. People want cheap, they get cheap. And because they never have known something else, they expect a PC to be loud, and so it is, and they think it's completely normal that not only PCs, but that all computers are loud. Can you imagine how surprised people here usually are when they don't hear a Mac Mini or a Sun SS20?
"That's certainly not the case - if you're capable of installing a heatsink and a power supply, about $150 (for a fanless PSU and a low-noise HSF) and a half hour of effort will get you a "PC" that's as silent as any Mac mini."
As I mentioned before, this is possible, but requires some work and, of course, money to be spent. While there are some systems that are very quiet by factory setting (already mentioned in another reply), PCs seem not to be very famous for their silence.
I hope I could explain my comment a little bit, it's about semantics after all. :-)
Member since:
2005-07-06
Unfortunately repeated readings don't make the meaning any clearer.
How is a Mac Mini not a personal computer?
I can only guess that by "PC" you mean x86-compatible PC. Are you suggesting that it's not possible for a "PC" to run quietly? That's certainly not the case - if you're capable of installing a heatsink and a power supply, about $150 (for a fanless PSU and a low-noise HSF) and a half hour of effort will get you a "PC" that's as silent as any Mac mini.