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Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

news.zdnet.co.uk

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Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#2

Post by ComputerGuru »

This is a stupid PR stunt. Linux is great and all (using it now), but everything has its place. Just as it doesn't make sense to bundle 31 Cents ice cream with all Nike shoes, it doesn't make sense to stuff Linux down all motherboards. There's a time and a place for everything; and adding features we don't need to products is just going to drive their price up, increase their complexity (and vulnerability).

Oh, and the penguin inside me is screaming "Score another one for the good guys!"

Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#3

Post by jpeterson »

ComputerGuru wrote: post #2

This is a stupid PR stunt. Linux is great and all (using it now), but everything has its place. Just as it doesn't make sense to bundle 31 Cents ice cream with all Nike shoes, it doesn't make sense to stuff Linux down all motherboards. There's a time and a place for everything; and adding features we don't need to products is just going to drive their price up, increase their complexity (and vulnerability). Oh, and t…

But aren't there actually cases where a user would want the ability to have an "instant on" web-browser, email client, etc. without having to load a full OS? Seems like a nice feature to me.

Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#4

Post by ComputerGuru »

jpeterson wrote: post #3
ComputerGuru wrote: post #2

This is a stupid PR stunt. Linux is great and all (using it now), but everything has its place. Just as it doesn't make sense to bundle 31 Cents ice cream with all Nike shoes, it doesn't make sense to stuff Linux down all motherboards. There's a time and a place for everything; and adding features we don't need to products is just going to drive their price up, increase their complexity (and vulnerability). Oh, and t…

But aren't there actually cases where a user would want the ability to have an "instant on" web-browser, email client, etc. without having to load a full OS? Seems like a nice feature to me.

I felt strongly enough about this to post a reply as an article: http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/asus-linux-whether-you-need-it...

Bottom-line: You're going to be loading your full OS when you come to work in the morning anyway.... How often are you going to need your Skype and you're PC isn't already on, running your full OS?

Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#5

Post by SwellJoe »

ComputerGuru wrote: post #2

This is a stupid PR stunt. Linux is great and all (using it now), but everything has its place. Just as it doesn't make sense to bundle 31 Cents ice cream with all Nike shoes, it doesn't make sense to stuff Linux down all motherboards. There's a time and a place for everything; and adding features we don't need to products is just going to drive their price up, increase their complexity (and vulnerability). Oh, and t…

This article doesn't really make it clear, but I suspect (hope) they are entirely replacing the old BIOS with Linux (see http://www.coreboot.org/ ), which means something far more important than merely having a micro-Linux available "instantly". It also means that the BIOS boot time is reduced dramatically. Going from zero to running a full OS (whether it's Windows or a full-blown Linux) will be faster...possibly shaving minutes off of the boot time (but usually only 30 seconds to a minute).

The closer to instant-on PCs become, the more likely people are to shut them off when they walk away, which is great for the environment. It's also great for HTPCs to allow them to be more like traditional DVD players and VCRs.

The micro-Linux is just a funny side effect of replacing the cranky old slow 2 stroke BIOS with a new jet engine. It's about damned time the BIOS gets an overhaul, and since Linux already has most of the device detection and setup that a motherboard needs (or can have it added with no more pain than the BIOS, which have code bases that are reportedly extremely difficult to work with) why not?

The article isn't very clear, however, so I can't be sure the old BIOS isn't lurking beneath the surface just waiting for a "full boot" to kick in.

Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#6

Post by root »

ComputerGuru wrote: post #4
jpeterson wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But aren't there actually cases where a user would want the ability to have an "instant on" web-browser, email client, etc. without having to load a full OS? Seems like a nice feature to me.

I felt strongly enough about this to post a reply as an article: http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/asus-linux-whether-you-need-it... Bottom-line: You're going to be loading your full OS when you come to work in the morning anyway.... How often are you going to need your Skype and you're PC isn't already on, running your full OS?

It may not be all that useful to you or me, but it would be all my wife and youngest son need. I would count it as a big plus in a purchasing decision.

Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#7

Post by wmf »

SwellJoe wrote: post #5
ComputerGuru wrote: post #2

This is a stupid PR stunt. Linux is great and all (using it now), but everything has its place. Just as it doesn't make sense to bundle 31 Cents ice cream with all Nike shoes, it doesn't make sense to stuff Linux down all motherboards. There's a time and a place for everything; and adding features we don't need to products is just going to drive their price up, increase their complexity (and vulnerability). Oh, and t…

This article doesn't really make it clear, but I suspect (hope) they are entirely replacing the old BIOS with Linux (see http://www.coreboot.org/ ), which means something far more important than merely having a micro-Linux available "instantly". It also means that the BIOS boot time is reduced dramatically. Going from zero to running a full OS (whether it's Windows or a full-blown Linux) will be faster...possibly sha…

Dream on. I have dealt with the BIOS world, and if it ain't completely broken they won't touch it. They aren't even willing to adopt EFI.

Re: Asus to embed Linux into all motherboards

#8

Post by Xichekolas »

SwellJoe wrote: post #5
ComputerGuru wrote: post #2

This is a stupid PR stunt. Linux is great and all (using it now), but everything has its place. Just as it doesn't make sense to bundle 31 Cents ice cream with all Nike shoes, it doesn't make sense to stuff Linux down all motherboards. There's a time and a place for everything; and adding features we don't need to products is just going to drive their price up, increase their complexity (and vulnerability). Oh, and t…

This article doesn't really make it clear, but I suspect (hope) they are entirely replacing the old BIOS with Linux (see http://www.coreboot.org/ ), which means something far more important than merely having a micro-Linux available "instantly". It also means that the BIOS boot time is reduced dramatically. Going from zero to running a full OS (whether it's Windows or a full-blown Linux) will be faster...possibly sha…

I was also reading this hoping they were talking about coreboot (or LinuxBIOS as I knew it), but the entire pitch was for a browser and skype in the bios. Am I the only one that doesn't want to flash my bios every time my browser has an update?

I could see it maybe making sense for true appliance PCs, but you make special mobos for those anyway... no need to stick a browser in every mobo you make.

There are lots of reasons that I'd like to see things like coreboot succeed, but having Firefox in my bios isn't one of them.

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