[felix]

I've decided to post an OS preference thread for this week.

The Abacus: http://www.ee.ryerson.ca:8080/~elf/abacus/
I find the simplified UI and native accessability options to be far easier to manipulate than cogs and wheels. Whilst the functions are limited to the basic arithmetic, the speed of calculation and global support for this OS help determine its large acceptance. Also, the ability to display a multiple language interface provides a viable Open-Source Alternative to the propietry difference engine.

Babbage's Difference Engine: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/collections/exhiblets/babbage/diffeng.asp
This OS provides a larger choice of functions and comes in a shiny box with knobs, dials and levers. Again, a multi-language UI provides universal acceptance. However the knowledge required to work this contraption comes at a price: it will turn you into a cantankerous old git.
Following on from the Difference Engine 1.01 was Difference Engine 2.10 http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/collections/exhiblets/babbage/diffeng2.asp and a server version called Analytical Engine 1.5 http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/collections/exhiblets/babbage/analytical.asp.

However, overall winner is the Abacus with the main points of "ease of use" and Open-Source architecture.


Here endith the joke.

[adamvjackson]

Don't be silly, everyone knows that the best OS came preloaded on these!