What Via Really Needs To Do

What Via really needs to make this work is a proper OS for such a machine, one that says, 90% of our users will do three-five things with their computers. Forget Microsoft, they're just as much propeller-heads as Intel/AMD.

What Via really needs is to do a little reality programming. Take some Linux programmers and a lot more AOLers and put them on an island. If there aren't enough sharks in the surrounding water, bring in more (some mines wouldn't hurt).

There is one rule to this game: No one leaves the island alive until the Linux tribe comes up with an OS and application package the AOL tribe is happy with. Should no Linux programmer survive, more will be brought in.

To hurry things up a bit, the AOL tribe will be armed.

The island will have Internet access, but it will be restricted to only www.aol.com and member sites. Email will also be restricted to AOL accounts.

All Linux programmers collaborating on the project will be guaranteed enrollment in the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program to prevent subsequent reprisals.

No doubt sterner measures will be required for success, but let's reserve kidnapping Linux Torvalds and holding him for code ransom until it becomes necessary.

Wouldn't you rather watch this than Survivor? :)

If the Linux folks ever seriously wanted to destroy Microsoft and soon, this is what they would do. Not come with a Windows me-too; come up with an AOL For SubSentients OS.

Ed