[ Thanks to Kevin
Reichard for this link. ]
“I like UNIX. I like it a lot. As a matter of fact, it is
somewhat disgusting at how narrow-minded I can be about it
considering how many other operating systems are out there. My
motivations should be obvious, I look for power, efficiency and the
ability to get close to the system. One can only get such things
from a well-written multitasking operating system. It could also be
said, truthfully, that I really would not like to switch to
maintaining/developing/whatever on any other OS than is not
UNIX-like. What I can concede is that someday, another OS of some
sort, whether a UNIX variant or some sort of descendent, will
replace or extend into UNIX. What that system may be, I do not
know.”
“Right now UNIX systems meet my personal and professional
criteria. This is not to say there are not some quality operating
systems out there that are different from UNIX (or are some sort of
UNIX variant, like our beloved Linux) that are not good. They are
simply not in widespread use at this time. These other operating
systems still have something of value; their design philosophy is
somewhat different than UNIX systems. Who is to say that
understanding these ideas might not provide some insight as to how
current UNIX systems could be changed or just the perspective of a
project?”
“This article will look at two operating systems that
approach system design from very diverse angles: The GNU HURD
system and Plan9 from Bell Labs Innovations.”