Date   : Sun, 24 Jul 2011 11:11:41
From   : heyrick.beebsoc@... (Rick Murray)
Subject: [BeebSoc] Re: Risc PC (Was 'Minitel in France')

On 24/07/2011 11:42, Rob wrote:

> Back in the day, I got part way through writing a full
> multi-user multi-tasking OS for B&2P.

How far did you get?

I've thought of a simple multitasking OS for a 6502 board (not Beeb 
related), but run into a fair few issues, such as the limited 
fixed-position stack. I thought of "up to x processes" with timeslice 
task control using VIA timer to switch, with the stack being split into 
an OS chunk and private chunks for the tasks, but how far can you really 
hope to split up 256 bytes? ;-)


> so they could teach the kids how to use MS Publisher ..?!!

Yup. Doesn't surprise me at all. This is why we have a nation of 
doofusses who can *use*, but not *understand* computers.

I might have greying hair, saggy eyebrows, and memory flakier than a 
worn out flash chip - but I'm glad I was around in the days of the Beeb. 
When it was feasible to open up the computer, and understand it in its 
entirety - from every instruction in the MOS ROM to every logic gate.
Can't do that these days.


> They are just tools.  I think the proof of this is the Dell TV
> adverts.  See any specifications anywhere?  Nope; but you can have
> different coloured lids - that's what's important to the current
> generation!

ROTFL! Sod harddisc size (it lies anyway). Stuff processor speed. Who 
cares what processor is inside, it runs Windows right? But look, you can 
have a RED lid. Oooooh, shiny!

[isn't this the Apple approach?]


> I read this last night, and was humming "I'm in with the In-phone" all
> night, and I haven't even watched the video yet!!!

Bingo!

http://www.heyrick.co.uk/blog/index.php?diary 100220

You've already read, Rob, but I should point out that when thinking of 
adverts, that was the first one that came to mind.


> Have you seen all the "It's for yooooooooouuuuu" ads yet?

Reminds me of the nanny death scene from the 2006 remake of The Omen (it 
isn't on YouTube, sorry...).

<http://media.photobucket.com/image/omen%202006%20nanny%20death%20scene/sittel/The%2520Omen%25202006/65d1scd.jpg>
She was quite a sweet nanny, but you can look at the picture, remember 
this is The Omen, and, well... you kinda know where it's going to end up.


> And :  "But I read it on the Internet" ...   (I think some people have
> finally learned not to trust newspapers 100%...)

<giggle> Especially Murdoch ones. But, then, is it better or worse to 
switch print for the internet? After all, there is *supposed* to be some 
sort of integrity with print, even if it has devolved into a case of 
"we'll publish and see who sues".

On the internet, any half-assed numpty can write incoherent drivel; look 
at my blog if you're ever in need of examples. ;-)


Best wishes,

Rick.