Operating systems are like cars

Thought of this while at work today: Computer operating systems are like cars.

Win95, Win98, Win2000, WinXP, Mac OS X, Linux...

They all share a basic purpose: for cars, to get you from one place to another; for operating systems, to run programs on your computer. But their way of doing it differs -- though really, more stylistically than any major changes.

Like, on my Honda Civic, the windshield wipers and headlight controls were both on stems that came out of the steering wheel column. On our Rover sedan, they're on the dashboard. A little bit weird to get used to, but once you figure it out, it's no big deal.

In Linux, it seems to be ''the thing'' to only click once on icons to start programs; I'm used to double-clicking.

And, just like when you've borrowed someone's car for the day, and have to figure out ''O.k, --- where the heck do they the hood release...?''

Different car manufacturers think it's a good idea to locate the different functions different places, or put 'em different places on the dashboard.

Some cars are made to make it easy for you to do minor maintenance (oil changes; replace headlights). Others make it hard. Same with operating systems.


But, in the end, they all use minorly different ways to accomplish the same thing.


--GG