Quote:
WHY ON EARTH would they end their dependance on directx and WMP? Microsoft is the strongest company on this planet and has the best chance of survival. Not use WMP? You can argue sound quality maybe, but going to open source? Why do you think Linux hasn't already put Microsoft out of business? Because there is no quality control! Directx and WMP are the two major players in the computer industry, and you think they should go open source?
wait wait wait just a second: open source != open standards. I should have said just "standards" instead of "open standards" to avoid the confusion. I never suggested that SD should go open source (in fact I suggested that they stay closed source: see first post). I suggested that they not have dependencies on third party systems that would ostracize anyone else.
I never mentioned anything about Linux. Placing you dependencies on standards means if Ford wants to do a deal with Apple, Apple may purchase SD software to meet that demand. It just smart programming (I admit I don't do this all the time) to not close out your potential markets when choosing technologies to include within your software.
I like your idea about SD teaming up with microsoft for a complete system. That will involve some refactoring but it is a step in the right direction.
I would argue that if Microsoft is the strongest company on this planet, the only direction they can go is down. It's rather analogous to Olympic basketball: the US team was dominant for many years but recently, the world has caught up and we haven't won the gold in how many Olympics?
My argument is why hasn't Chevrolet, Ford, Mitsubishi, Honda, Car MFG X put streetdeck in their cars? Maybe because $200 (SD) +$170 (windows) + $400++ (for hardware) > the total ~$350 bucks it costs for Sync FOR THE COMPLETE SYSTEM.
sure, YOU may not care about support for XP, but I'm positive Honda does, and every other car mfg that wants to make sure microsoft will patch security flaw X when it's discovered. No support from microsoft means no more security updates and no more service packs along with not more support calls.
Quote:
You are still linux-blinded....you don't think that having to put in countless hours making your OS work is a bad thing. But "ease of use" is a major factor in ANY purchase!
ouch, I guess I did open myself up to flames... I agree 100% with you. I don't use Linux because i have to tweak things to get certian things to work (like wifi). I use Linux because in my experience I've found it to be the most productive environment for me to do what I want to do.
My goal wasn't to promote Linux, Open Source, or my project. If you noticed I never mentioned LinuxICE or nGhost at all in this thread. I didn't want anyone to say that I was just pimping my own project. 'nuf said. And won't pimp it in the thread because that's not my purpose.
before I started this thread, I asked myself what the ultimate solution would be for car entertainment. and the answer IMHO has to be in getting good hardware+software solutions either in cars right from the start or providing it in the aftermarket.
IMHO this solution doesn't currently exist. SD *can* be the solution, and I think they are trying now to be that solution, but they can't be the solution at this point unless some changes are made.