RE: 64 bit Windows... -- MIDRANGE-L

James,

There was actually a Dodge Dart with a Hemi in it !

And my favorite is the Lamborghini Diablo, a friend has one. Unreal...

Chuck

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of James Rich
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 2:12 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: RE: 64 bit Windows...

On Thu, 28 Apr 2005, Joe Pluta wrote:

> to a Walden Wuvs Windows (C) post <grin>.  But this is a REALLY bad
> analogy.  The iSeries is hardly a Model T.  It's a hemi-powered Mustang
> convertible.  We had the technology ten years ago, and we've made it
> work.

<non-serious mode on>
Well since there is no such thing as a hemi-powered mustang then the 
iSeries must not exist :)  Hemi engines were in 'cudas, road runners, and 
other plymouths (I hope I'm remembering this right - I wasn't alive back 
then).  Putting a hemi engine in a mustang would probably be a pretty 
difficult mod since I believe the engine mounts don't match up.

Even so, the iSeries probably isn't best compared to a souped-up mustang 
anyway (fast and sexy).  I think a dump truck would match better. 
Powerful, useful, carries a big load, and not too many people have one.  I 
guess dump trucks are reliable, but if not then my comparison fails on 
that point.  But the iSeries isn't particularly fast, and for sure isn't 
sexy.  But that doesn't mean it isn't powerful.  That's why the comparison 
with a dump truck is so good.  Diesel engines can be hugely powerful (well 
over 1,000 horsepower in trains, ships, and mining trucks).  But diesel 
engines also run at low RPM, usually below 4,000.  However, diesel engines 
are also quite efficient, often resulting in a favorable savings on fuel 
(analogous to total cost of ownership - another great analogy!).

Gasoline engines are totally different animals.  Their rev range (the 
variation in RPM) is much greater than diesel engines.  Most gasoline 
engines redline at around 6,500 RPM and self-destruct north of 9,000. 
Most are not as efficient as diesel engines.  And while they can powerful, 
it is extremely uncommon that they reach the max horsepower that diesel 
engines can achieve (especially if you take reliability into 
consideration).  Dragsters can get that kind of horsepower, but they have 
to be rebuilt after each drag.  But gasoline powered cars are generally 
much faster than their diesel powered counterparts.  They can't carry the 
same load, however.  Most people have gasoline engines, so that analogy 
fits in with it not being comparable with the iSeries.  A gas powered car 
would probably smoke a diesel in a race (i.e. the iSeries isn't 
extraordinarily fast) unless they were towing a big trailer (iSeries can 
handle big loads).

So, iSeries is a dump truck.  OSX is mini cooper or Aston Martin or 
Ferrari (so sexy - even the case is beautiful).  Windows is...  um...  old 
and busted? no - a honda civic.  Everyone has one, but they aren't that 
great (however, civic are quite reliable - I can't think of a car that 
lots of people own that sucks as bad as windows does - maybe a suzuki 
samuri?  unsafe, not really an off road car like it is advertised, and 
annoying).

Now linux is more like a car dealership with a huge parts store.  You can 
pretty much get whatever you want, but you may have to build some of it 
yourself.  Good for me, because I can get a Ferrari (my favorite) at a 
great price and you can get the sweetest dump truck ever to grace the 
streets.  And if you can't find the part you need you can always make it 
in your machine shop.

Well that was fun.  Off to build my Formula 1 engine...   :)

James Rich