Why are there only two major operating systems made by big tech companies? Seems like there should be 20 different ones. 5% of the market share is still like 10 billion dollars a year
It turns out making software is difficult and expensive
>>106478889>Why are there only two major operating systems made by big tech companies? Seems like there should be 20 different ones.The key word is "MAJOR", but you are really implying "popular". Big tech companies have done lots of operating systems other than Mac Os X and Win:IBM: VMS, OS/360Xerox: Star OS, Alto OSSymbolics' GeneraMicrosoft XENIXSun's SolarisSilicon Graphics' IRIXCray's Cray Operating System (COS)etc etcMany of those in the list were MAJOR operating systems, that is, huge codebases, with lots of applications, most used in the industry for serious things, etc .But if we're talking about POPULAR, it is not easy to create a new, wholly distinct OS and make it POPULAR. Not easy at all, for various reasons, number one software compatibility, number two marketing. And... It turns out making software is difficult and expensive.
Basically because the standardization process has been subverted and captured completely. Plus the effort of making the applications and attracting the developers you'd need to get users, who merely use the OS to launch their various programs for the most part.Everything's so bloated and gay now though, that we are at the cusp of it being possible for new paradigms to emerge. I've looked at the various projects that have had some success at marketing a distraction-free writing environment. They all have serious fundamental flaws, terrible screens, poor ergonomics, and seriously crippled software that doesn't support the kinds of writing that many writers do. It's as if these various and profitable distraction-free writing machine companies think the environment needs to be made for idiots for it to be distraction-free. If you've ever used the old school Oberon system you'll see the probelm I'm talking about. It's distraction-free and minimal, yet incredibly powerful and easily customized. Plan9 too - customizing your workspace is as easy as clicking on a text field and entering the names of the new commands you wish to always have available>>106479646You missed the point.
>>106478889when monopolies are illegal everything becomes a duopoly
