On 2006-09-06, Mxsmanic wrote:
Thomas Borchert writes:
Windows isn't Windows, as you try to make it in your generalization -
which in itslef implies a certain cluelessness with the topic.

Windows isn't Windows?

'Windows' is mainly a marketing name. There is a world of difference
between the Windows on GA GPS displays (it'll be the NT microkernel
running software designed by the display maker and will NOT contain the
Win32 subsystem nor the usual crufty device drivers) and Windows on a PC
(which does include the Win32 subsystem and a lot of other cruft).

It's the Win32 subsystem and various Windows drivers that people are
complaining about when they complain about the stability/quality of
Windows. Win32 itself is pretty vile - messy, looks like it was designed
by a dozen teams who never communicated with each other. Like car
crashes, most Windows crashes are caused by bad drivers.

A GA GPS display with the NT microkernel won't contain these buggy
drivers nor the hideous pile of cruft that is the Win32 subsystem. The
NT kernel itself is small and fairly elegant (even if the VMM, in my
opinion, leaves a lot to be desired). It's probably within the realm of
practicality to certify the NT kernel to a certain level of reliability.
(Whether it has been done or not I don't know).

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