According to a news item at WindowsForEmbedded.com, Microsoft has launched a new program in its ‘shared source’ initiative. This one enables the sharing of ‘platforms’, allowing, for example, hobbyists ‘to convert an old PC into any number of Windows CE .NET-based devices, such as a digital audio receiver,’ using files downloaded from a community repository. Free and time-fused tools are available for download from Microsoft’s website to facilitate the process.
Microsoft Launches “Shared Platforms” Program
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So we get another great example of how Microsoft is using profits from their monopoly businesses to fund their attack on the embedded market.
Just why would someone want to use Windows CE to do anything? There are no substantive and non-temporal source rights, just Microsoft’s crippled version of available source.
Microsoft determines when your code works or not because they control the license terms. With Microsoft, it’s equivalent to the developer getting a ‘lease’ on the code that Microsoft ultimately controls, whereas with Linux and open source, you ‘own’ the source in that no one can legally take it away from you.
Microsoft used the first day of its TechEd conference to announce a $1.7 billion investment in R&D for Windows Server products and a new version of its storage operating system.
All told, Microsoft is throwing more than $2 billion at improving and promoting its server products. The $1.7 billion will go to bulking up the products themselves, and another $450 million is set aside for “community-based efforts”, otherwise known as developer and engineer brainwashing sessions.
This new Windows CE effort is more of the same old Microsoft brainwashing, just in the embedded market vs. the server market. Everywhere you look, you find Microsoft dirty gold buying marketshare.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/61/30990.html
A “Shared source” that you are forbidden to share with people who haven’t signed a non-disclosure agreement, a “Shared platform” which shares files only with Windows … well, it’s getting worse and worse with Microsoft these days.
I guess, when Bill Gates talks about sharing a meal with his relatives, he means he’s the only one who eats, while the others watch him do so…
…Awesome. Kudos to Microsoft. Can’t wait to turn my old 333’s into something.
With Microsoft, you can turn your old 333’s into 666’s. In fact, you can turn any Windows-compatible computer into a 666.
I remember buying my first USR Pilot 1000, and thinking it was pretty cool. I used it a few times and put it away. A cool gadget, but not quite usable for day to day tasks.
Then got the upgrade to palmIII. It’s use went up and I still use it today, 7 years later. It burns through a set of batteries in half the time it used to, but I just can’t bear to retire it.
Wonder how long some of these new devices will last for…
Lets hope simultaneous attacks by Microsoft on the technical front, and SCO on the legal front destroy this evil Linux OS once and for all. Its 2003, nobody wants to type commands anymore…
Linux OS actually allows the user to type their own commands, something that is indeed mostly missing on Windows where the user is expected to follow the obedience wizard at all times.
Windows… more and more of it is a mystery behind the DRM curtain.
Windows CE… you too can be owned by Microsoft, now for less money than ever. But you still get the 881K software license that binds you and your code to Microsoft forever.
For all the MS bashing going on, you have to admit that once again we in the OSS movement have FORCED Microsoft to do something. Why run Windows to make a little MP3 player in your car or for your stero when you can do it with Linux? You don’t need a full version of Win9x to do that, so Linux is better. Well, they see an opportunity to make money going down the drain so they did this.
Apparently when you let people do what they want, they come up with things that you didn’t think they’d do. Now MS has seen that they are doing this and they’re forced to either join in, or give up the market. When was the last time MS just rolled over and gave up on anything?
Looks like fun, and I’ll probably dl it and give it a try.
Really though, I doubt that this is going to compete with Linux for making use of old boxen. Speed issues due to the emulation will be a problem.
For instance, I can run full screen AVIs on a P200 with Linux and mplayer, will CE running on an emulator be able to do that?
As an “Open Source” afficionado (as in fan), I feel compelled to point out that this article is a lie (lie as in untruth). There is no “sharing of source” going on, that only happens in “Open Source” applications. Furthermore, since this is not an “Open Source” application, it will have so many bugs that we (the collective “Open Source” hive mind) will refer to it as simply “The Bug.” I could not think of any humorous jokes, but feel free to make your own – small processor, big BSOD? Hardy har har (the official “Open Source” laugh- laugh as in funny). Now that the source is available (if this article is not a lie), I must copy it into my “Open Source” application. That is all. I will report back to you if I possess further information on the “Closed Source” infidels.
For instance, I can run full screen AVIs on a P200 with Linux and mplayer, will CE running on an emulator be able to do that?
My experience with the windows port of mplayer is that it works pretty good, but I have not been able to test it on slow hardware 🙂
I thought it was an OS-centric site. Stop trolling.
To be back on the topic, that program doesn’t seem bad, but I doubt it’ll be successful. Time will tell, but the non-free stuff is a bit expensive and the free/emulated stuff could be too slow for old PCs.
michael said
With Microsoft, you can turn your old 333’s into 666’s. In fact, you can turn any Windows-compatible computer into a 666.
i think this is great. i dont gates is the devil but it
wouldnt surprise me that he is one of his little helpers
is in need of some really heavy moderation. Did someone smear troll attractant all over it? Seriously.
It sure does… Then again, we’ll be moderated for being off-topic!
I’ll try it, pity about the 120 day trial though.
That’s “120 day trial” as in you have to stop using it after 120 days, FYI.
Michael, Get over it already. Microsoft is not going any where, any time soon. If you don’t like it, write an article showing why linux is better for the same hardware. You are doing nothing to promote linux by whining about MS. The truth is that you should use the best OS for your needs. No one OS is better than any other. Frankly, I would still use netware to handle file and print over Linux and MS.
Use the best tool for the Job, period.
Karlsak: While I appreciate your calm and logical analysis – this has no place in a conversation discussing the merits of Linux. Linux is superior to all other solutions, my apologies to you if you did not get the memo.
M$ knows they are in decline. The old pc’s sure dont run windoze as windoze get bulkier hogging more ram, cpu and hard drive but in my case it runs Linux just fine. I can always use it as music or file share in Linux and guess what I dont need X to run Linux.
Most of all redhat 9.0 linux just runs fine on 128 meg ram pIII 333 mhz machine I running on it now.
If you don’t like it, write an article showing why linux is better for the same hardware.
Well, I will take an example for explaining this.
Since 3 years, I own a PC powered by a Celeron 566. 2 years ago I installed Mandrake Linux along with Win98. Fine. I don’t know if you know it, but in Linux you have a choice between desktop environments (called Gnome, or KDE, or XFce) and window managers (fvwm, window make, enlightenment) for having a graphical interface. I choosed to use KDE. It became impossible to use, because it was so slow! It was because I had only 64 Mb of RAM. I went out, bought some extra RAM so my system went up to 192 Mb, and then KDE worked better, but it was slow anyway and it wasn’t enough quick/responsive etc. for my daily use. So I took another interface instead. Some time ago, I updated my system (same machine: 566Mhz, 192 Mb), and I tested the new version of KDE. It went smoothly, with the Keramik theme (see here: http://www.kde.org/screenshots/kde310shots.php ) and even with transparency and shadow in the menus.
So what is the difference between KDE two years ago and now? A better code, simply a better code which doesn’t require to buy a new computer. Of course, the underlying system, GNU/Linux has also improved over the time in the same way. And it’s free and I still have control on my own computer.
I hope it something like this you wanted to read.
Linux has nothing to do with communism or atheism or with right and christianity. It justs gives freedom to the users and to the developpers.
Goddammit, u ppl are absolutely hilarious. I don’t think I have laughed this much in a long time.
‘Terrorist code thieves?’ – I didn’t know Terrorists released commercial software
))).
LOL…you’re just too funny. I wonder if you are drunk?
Use a handle so we can talk to you.
pipe dream 8-)))))))
the 100 year ahead has to struggle for AA fonts, which was
available on windoze last century aorund 95, has to use a file open dialog more “traditional” than win31, has to
wait 1 hour for its broken office suite to open the first usable windows, has to bet there isn’t a segfaut when opening a web page
These cancerous linux zealouts (( 8 ))
If any post moderation happens, there won’t be any posts left in the main area
Drag a file from your hard drive to your CD-RW drive in KDE and with only one additional click, how do you get a CD-R burnt, assuming there is an empty CD-R disc in the CD-RW drive
If somebody wants to know:
http://aaxnet.com/editor/edit029.html
after reading it you know what to do.
Hopefully.
Forgot to mention:
Before reading it, switch your brain on, and start thinking.
assuming your linux super box is runing latest KDE or Gnome desktop, with one openoffice shown an unsaved document you just typed
now
1 push the power button once to let your superbox come to a complete power down state
2 push the power button again
3 after log in with same user name/password, the openoffice window should be the same size/position and
with the same unsaved document
If Win CE actually ran on x86 ( didn’t the old version have this ability? ) this would be a great plan – an old Pent running a pocket-PC style OS would be a very good use of old hardware because Linux is just not suitable for old PCs unless you have serious hacking ability..
Its just a shame they seem to expect you to write apps for Pocket PC and run them in emulation in Windows
If Microsoft made an OS specifically for web browsing and mp3-playing on old hardware I’m sure it’d be popular, if the price was set low enough ( nobody would pay full windows price for it.. )
I just deleted 20 comments. I will delete tHE WHOLE THREAD if the trolls (from both sides) don’t stop posting such crap over here (and even impersonating me!!).
We have on file the full IPs, and we will use them to report abuse to your ISP if you don’t co-operate, and to FBI if you don’t stop it (it ain’t the first time we do it). If you don’t like it, go elsewhere.
Does WinCE even run natively on x86? If I have to install any Windows incl. the WinCE emulator as host, it’s not of much use.
C’mon, what are they supposed to do with trolls? Is there any law that prohibits trolling? I bet even in most crazy ISP service conditions you won’t find such a clause =)
Breaking rules of a site equals to abuse, and pretty much every ISP has sections about that in their TOS.
A mouse is for stupid people who do not know what they are doing. I do virtually everything in the console and when I come across other support guys where they have no mouse, they do not know what to do. How many version of microsoft are there where you can start up at bthe DOS prompt, read email (pine), browse the web (lynx), rip dvd’s (mencoder) and then watch them (mplayer -vo aa). You can configure dns dhcp, web servers blah blah blah. Microsoft makes you stupid and them richer !!!!!
ATTENTION SHAUN:
Trolling has been cancelled on this site. Please kindly update your bookmarks to: http://bsd.slashdot.org. Thank you.
When was the last time MS just rolled over and gave up on anything?
Bob 🙂
To stay on topic, I just bought a Zaurus last week. I started playing around with using GCC as a cross compiler, and am impressed at how simple it is to port software to that platform. I’m also very happy with the speed, responsiveness, and ease of use of the device. 206MHz and I (almost) never have to wait on anything. Its very similar spec to the iPaq, but its much nicer to use.
As a response to “Another win for Micro$oft” by Michael:
Linux OS actually allows the user to type their own commands, something that is indeed mostly missing on Windows where the user is expected to follow the obedience wizard at all times.
Almost everything I do (except development work) on the Zaurus uses a nice simple graphical tool to change settings or launch applications. For people who aren’t doing development work, why should they need to learn to type commands? In fact, having to type on a PDA significantly reduces productivity for a lot of people (not like on a desktop computer where typing is easy). Tapping a couple of buttons on a touch sensitive screen is much easier than launching a console and fiddling with an on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition.
That brings me to the only bad thing I have to say about the Zaurus – it’s handwriting recognition isn’t as nice as Palm’s. Perhaps I’ve just got too used to Palm’s – I think humans would have difficulty understanding my writing now 😉
Remember – the command line isn’t for everyone.
The FBI.. do they operate in Europe? Hmm?
If you like Palm’s Graffiti (or what’s it called), you could simply install OpenZaurus and the opie-handwriting-graffitiset.ipk, so there’s no need to look back… 😉
Maybe the ipk runs on a stock – Zaurus, too.
BTW, I found the current OPIE’s handwriting recognition better than Qtopia’s…
I _own_ one of the earlier Windows CE devices — a Sharp unit that does 640×200, has a small keyboard, stylus, etc. As an owner of one of these infernal little machines, I certainly feel entitled to comment on Windows CE, its future, and Microsoft’s token efforts towards open platforms and open source.
From my perspective, Windows CE has _one_ good feature and that is instant On/Off. Everything else about using the OS is mired with strange problems, especially all the Mini-Me versions of the Microsoft Office apps.
The lack of real platform openness is a sore point for all the vendors that work with Microsoft. The entire evolution of the platform, what apps can run on it, what operating systems can run on the hardware, etc., is up to Microsoft and only Microsoft. In an evolutionary sense, it’s a dead-end ecology out the gate. This is why there are no alternatives on Windows CE to Microsoft’s Mini-Me apps.
Witness the problems with the “Tablet PC” —
http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article1.asp?datePublish=2003/05/…
“Global sales of Tablet PCs have not been as strong as expected, and major Tablet PC vendors like Acer and Hewlett-Packard (HP) have even experienced declining sales of the products, sources said.”
The Tablet PC is another device that on the surface looks interesting but because the architecture and OS are closed, the overall ecology of the system is stagnant. Who is writing apps for the Tablet PC? Why would any ISV in their right mind even want to? So Microsoft can steal their ideas and put them out of business? This is why there are no interesting apps for Tablet PC besides what Microsoft writes. And that is a total of ONE application, the journal.
So back to CE… which is much like Tablet OS in that it is an OS in search of some real business problem to solve. Right now CE is a fringe OS that no one is embracing. It is no wonder that Gates has to give the damn thing away. And to add insult to injury, Gates is now giving the customer the privilege of sharing their applications. Imagine that. What everyone takes for granted on non-Microsoft platforms, Gates is making available to the populace like some sort of King granting a boon to his loyal subjects.
Maybe one day Windows CE will be an open platform. But that day is not today. And ‘shared source’ is a misnomer, just marketing hype designed by Microsoft to fool the customer.
Windows CE does not have one single compelling application written for it. And that should be no surprise. No one is writing apps for Windows CE. It is a dead-end ecology under the thumb of Microsoft. Doesn’t the world deserve better?
most, if not all, programs under windows can be operated using only a keyboard.
on the other hand, in newer windows, one can change IP, DNS, etc using only command line, without the need to edit any file or using a pipe ( > | ) by using netsh or sc commands.
An interesting question will be can you operate linux with only a mouse without the keyboard ?
I have two celeron 333a’s. I used Mandrake 9.1 and ICEwm as a window manager–it’s pretty damn fast and everything works out of the box–plus I don’t HAVE to use any one component, I can pick my own web browser–or install a faster one, ala DILLO, I can choose what Themed Window Manager to use–I prefer ICEwm because it’s so fast–faster than Windows 98–with NO GOD DAMN BSODs due to a USB keyboard + printer.
mandrake 9.1 whips a llama’s ass (Wesley Willis)
“An interesting question will be can you operate linux with only a mouse without the keyboard ?”
You can use Linux without a mouse, or a keyboard, even without a monitor or a sound card as well.
You would need to invest in a braille display however.
http://trace.wisc.edu/linux/current.html#console
An interesting question will be can you operate linux with only a mouse without the keyboard ?