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To: Allen Benn who wrote (8582)	10/3/2000 7:21:26 PM
From: docsox	Respond to of 10309

Allen Thanks for another remarkably enlightening post. Doc

To: Allen Benn who wrote (8582)	10/4/2000 1:13:23 AM
From: lkj	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10309

Open-source Threat Hi Allen, Let's talk about something more specific. 3Com has IP radios based on Linux. Transmeta is coming out with web pads based on Linux. Intel is coming out with thin client PCs with Linux. AOL is going to ship thin client boxes with Linux as well. The truth with the web clients is how well does a platform support plug-ins. At this stage, besides Windows and Mac OS, nothing supports plug-ins better than Linux. If I were to make a thin client box that requires full web functionalities, I would not go with VxWorks. Addressing the plug-in issue is very difficult. It's not something that WRS can do by itself. It needs the support by traditional desktop developers such as Apple, Real Networks, Macromedia, Microsoft, and many more. Regards, Khan

To: Allen Benn who wrote (8582)	10/4/2000 11:41:15 AM
From: Ramsey Su	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10309

messages.yahoo.com Allen, now I know where to lay blame when WIND goes down. <gggggg> Ramsey

To: Allen Benn who wrote (8582)	10/4/2000 3:02:47 PM
From: Knight	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10309

Allen, Thanks. That was just the kind of analysis I was looking for. You have further strengthened my beliefs regarding open source. Couple of comments below... <"While I agree with your position,you should know there is far more substance to the open-source movement than you seem willing to suggest..."> Your point about the availability of a vast selection of open source software from which to choose is understood. "Alleged vendor independence" was probably a poor choice of words. The main point about vendor independence (as you pointed out with your characteristic clarity and eloquence)is that it comes at an unacceptable cost in terms of lost opportunity and reduced productivity. That, coupled with the relative scarcity of engineering talent makes WIND's prospects incredibly bright. WIND is an enabler for a growing trend toward concentrating on "core" and outsourcing "context" (phraseology from Geoffery Moore's "Living on the Fault Line") <"You contend that such vendors make for inadequate support, especially since their business models stink and soon most will be out of business."> I don't think they'll necessarily be "out of business" because, as you pointed out, the open source community can be successful in developing software for some of the more common architectures/hardware configurations. I think your point is that companies that require special customizations to standard open source software (e.g. new drivers, specialized processors, etc.) will not be well-served by open source. The casualties among those companies will likely be tho ones who sacrifice time-to-market and precious R&D resources integrating, qualifying, and tweaking "open source" software in a misguided attempt to prevent "lock in" and save royalty payments while their more nimble (and wise) competitors just leverage WIND's products and pay WIND the toll. Am I on the right track here? Again, thanks Allen for your valuable contributions.