Re: [9fans] So What is P9 good for.....

[maynard <maynardh@bellsouth.net>]

stevemw@place.org (Stephen Wynne) wrote in message news:<3E4B6D96.9010203@place.org>...
> Jeffrey Haun wrote:
>
> > Why does the bunny not die???
>
> I think there are two reasons. First, the creators of
> UNIX had a hand in creating Plan 9. It's an attempt to
> take the lessons of distributing UNIX and implement them;
> it's also a basis for exploring advanced computing
> infrastructure concepts such as the Venti file folding
> architecture. Second, it appeals to those of us who
> think that simplicity is the only thing that scales
> in computing (even if we're not all equally adept at
> making simple solutions). I want to learn from the
> creators and contributors, for example.
>
> In short, Plan 9 is a fresh start at computing,
> unconstrained by previous approaches established
> with DOS, Windows, UNIX, and other environments.
> It doesn't claim to be the only alternative, it's
> one that interests us.
>
> Immediately, Plan 9 has great potential as an embedded
> and distributed appliance platform. Industrial systems
> need to be as small and clear as possible. Plan 9 offers
> that in many ways.
>
> > Why do YOU use Plan 9 and not Linux/FreeBSD?
>
> I'll let someone who usually uses Plan 9 on the desktop
> answer that question.
>
> Steve

During all my trolling thru P9 posts this kinda question alway boggles
my mind (admit not too hard to do)more than any other;
I have for many years (since the first comm dist circa '95) have been
utterly amazed by the concepts proposed and implemented in P9.  In
fact I can't understand how any programmer/systems
person/developer/../.. doesn't see the possibilities this OS (et al)
offer.  It does present some developmental hardships, but these IMO
are challenges that make the entire prospect appealing (if not
somewhat frustrating).  I have some time on my hands ATM to relearn
this elegant os and am endeavoring (albeit perhaps overly ambitious)
to create
embedded file servers that serv from remote devices.  I think with the
current state of the art of embedded processors containing ethernet
adapters and tcp/ip stacks as part of their Clibs...well my mind races
with possibilities.  I'll give a real example; home security.  Suppose
you had your house equiped with internal network (like phone plugs
scattered in every room 10bT would do) and many modules in different
rooms equiped with embedded controllers serving a namespace relative
to their respective functions (i.e. camera serves /cam/picture, etc -
motion sensors service /motion/activity you get the idea even some
more exotic functions like /frid/door/position /thermostat/temp :) all
these sensors could be mounted into a namespace, exported and mounted
by security company that monitors your house over the internet and
bang! instant realtime infor on your home.  For this fantasy, IMHO
there is only one practical OS suited to this funtionality (ok im a
n00b and dont know everything) If you can't glean an understanding for
the power the plan9 paradigm presents from this example, then I just
wasted my time :)
I'm not sure I can realize my dream to develope such a system since
I'm a poor man and development controllers can be expensive, but I am
at least able to see that plan9 CURRENTLY offers all that is required
to develop (minus the remote hardware dependencies) this system now!
Caveat: until there is a GUI development package for 9p I will prolly
use Inferno/Limbo for the desktop applications :)

Maynard