Continued, Post-Monster Kids

Amiga: they have the games, the multimedia, and could review the CD32 unit with a PowerPC processor to run AmigaOS 3.9, and port StarOffice and other programs. Just add a keyboard and you have a set-top console computer. Amiga has the old Commodore experience with home computers and consoles. It is a pity that Gateway sold them, as Gateway was supposed to make an Amiga based WebTV clone system. Gateway fumbled the ball here when they sold them. If someone, like 20th Century Fox, were to buy Amiga. They could pump some more R&D into it to make an alternative platform.

IBM: OS/2 and eCS, nuff said here. IBM or an OS/2 OEM could bundle OS/2 and Lotus Smartsuite onto a set-top device. It could be WINTEL based, ala XBox, use a DVD drive, etc. IBM has the marketing, if they are smart enough, to pull this off.

Sun: They still have that Network Computer and Javastation. They could license the JavaOS to companies who want to build their own Internet Appliance. StarOffice also could be used here. They have all the peices, they just haven't figured out how to put them together.

Palm: They could turn PalmOS with BeOS/BeIA into a consumer device. A brick computer with a flat panel LCD screen for use in the kitchen or living room. Didn't 3Com already make a device like this?

Sony: The Playstation 2, already has add on parts to turn it into a small computer. As their user base grows, they can start to get developers for applications. Maybe with a PC Emulator, they can run Windows and Linux stuff. There already exists a Linux for the PSX2. With an add-on hard drive, keyboard, mouse, and Ethernet/Modem adapter, the PSX2 can be turned into a PC that uses the TV screen as a monitor, and/or optional LCD screen. Sony keeps on growing.

Sega: I hadn't thought about this, but someone did port Linux to the Dreamcast. Sega could license the Dreamcast BIOS and hardware to other companies that can add on the keyboard, hard drive, and other features. Also slap on a DVD drive, and MP3/VideoCD player. Call it the Dreamcast 2, and put in faster video, audio, and CPU chips.

TIVO: Their user base is still growing, they are expanding into the DirectTV market with units that can run TIVO and DirectTV services. I was thinking of getting one before I got let go by my company. With TIVO I can record two programs at the same time on the DirectTV system. Many are moving away from Cable to DirectTV because of the price difference. For $6 more, local channels can be added to the DirectTV subscription. DirectPC is about to take place, which will offer broadband over the Satelite dishes. Another blow for Cable TV, if they don't reduce the Cable rates, more people will flock to satelite services. Dish network is about to merge with DirectTV.

Cable companies: Many are working on their own OS or a Linux or *BSD based OS that will turn digital cable boxes into home computers with a minor upgrade. Slap in a hard drive, update the BIOS, and switch on the connections to areas in the house. Charter Communications is leading the way for this, other companies are following. Maybe in the next few years we will see something come out of it.

Post #24,956 by nking 1/20/02 5:31:42 PM Reply	Continued, Post-Monster Kids Amiga: they have the games, the multimedia, and could review the CD32 unit with a PowerPC processor to run AmigaOS 3.9, and port StarOffice and other programs. Just add a keyboard and you have a set-top console computer. Amiga has the old Commodore experience with home computers and consoles. It is a pity that Gateway sold them, as Gateway was supposed to make an Amiga based WebTV clone system. Gateway fumbled the ball here when they sold them. If someone, like 20th Century Fox, were to buy Amiga. They could pump some more R&D into it to make an alternative platform. IBM: OS/2 and eCS, nuff said here. IBM or an OS/2 OEM could bundle OS/2 and Lotus Smartsuite onto a set-top device. It could be WINTEL based, ala XBox, use a DVD drive, etc. IBM has the marketing, if they are smart enough, to pull this off. Sun: They still have that Network Computer and Javastation. They could license the JavaOS to companies who want to build their own Internet Appliance. StarOffice also could be used here. They have all the peices, they just haven't figured out how to put them together. Palm: They could turn PalmOS with BeOS/BeIA into a consumer device. A brick computer with a flat panel LCD screen for use in the kitchen or living room. Didn't 3Com already make a device like this? Sony: The Playstation 2, already has add on parts to turn it into a small computer. As their user base grows, they can start to get developers for applications. Maybe with a PC Emulator, they can run Windows and Linux stuff. There already exists a Linux for the PSX2. With an add-on hard drive, keyboard, mouse, and Ethernet/Modem adapter, the PSX2 can be turned into a PC that uses the TV screen as a monitor, and/or optional LCD screen. Sony keeps on growing. Sega: I hadn't thought about this, but someone did port Linux to the Dreamcast. Sega could license the Dreamcast BIOS and hardware to other companies that can add on the keyboard, hard drive, and other features. Also slap on a DVD drive, and MP3/VideoCD player. Call it the Dreamcast 2, and put in faster video, audio, and CPU chips. TIVO: Their user base is still growing, they are expanding into the DirectTV market with units that can run TIVO and DirectTV services. I was thinking of getting one before I got let go by my company. With TIVO I can record two programs at the same time on the DirectTV system. Many are moving away from Cable to DirectTV because of the price difference. For $6 more, local channels can be added to the DirectTV subscription. DirectPC is about to take place, which will offer broadband over the Satelite dishes. Another blow for Cable TV, if they don't reduce the Cable rates, more people will flock to satelite services. Dish network is about to merge with DirectTV. Cable companies: Many are working on their own OS or a Linux or BSD based OS that will turn digital cable boxes into home computers with a minor upgrade. Slap in a hard drive, update the BIOS, and switch on the connections to areas in the house. Charter Communications is leading the way for this, other companies are following. Maybe in the next few years we will see something come out of it. "Will code Visual BASIC for cash."*
Post #24,988 by jb4 1/21/02 9:17:56 AM Reply	OT: 5 hrs. at the mall Norm? Sheeesh! jb4 (Resistance is not futile...)
Post #25,001 by nking 1/21/02 11:48:41 AM Reply	Nope, 15 minutes at the mall, 4 hours at Grandma's house making snowmen and having the kids slide down the hill on sleds. The rest was driving time. They misbehaved at the mall, at the children's indoor playground there, so we took them to Grandma's house. First snowmen of the year made due to all the snow. I was supposed to be given 15 minutes of break time to use the computer to check email and messages. It was cut short to 5, due to the kids wanting to go to the mall so bad. Just enough to fix my hosts file, log onto ZIWE and make a short, interrupted, post. "Will code Visual BASIC for cash."

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