casey.o said:
I was at the local auto parts store and their computer is taking 10
minutes to print out a receipt. I asked what version of windows they
have, The guy did not know. He's worked there for years and uses the
computer all day long. He replied "just windows". I said "but is it
Windows XP or Windows 7, or what"? He replied "I dunno". I said that's
easy to find out, click on the START button, then click on HELP. He
replied, there is no start button. I said how do you turn off the
computer? He said he lets the boss do it, because it's too
complicated......
Unbeleivably sad!
Then I reached over the counter and looked at the computer tower. It
says Windows 7 right on the case....
You haven't a clue how an *embedded* OS is used to produce a POS (point
of sale) device. The user NEVER gets to see the OS. They don't care
what OS is running the application(s). Their UI to the computer is the
custom POS application that was provided with the complete hardware and
software platform.
Gee, what OS runs in that computer in your car? Why would you care?
You will never buy or use the embedded OS (unless you maintain that
embedded device).
How does a sticker guarantee what OS is currently employed? Could be
the POS application is running on Windows XP, or some Linux, or even
back on some ancient DOS. Sorry but you were NOT clever by looking at a
sticker on the box. You were also not clever even if you knew the OS
because the employees and bosses don't know and don't care what embedded
OS is employed on the POS device. That's not their job. That's the job
of whomever compiled a platform to perform the tasks required by the
business. They might've reused an old box with an old sticker but the
OS doesn't match the sticker. In fact, in a well built POS, the users
can't get at the OS at all. They're not supposed to dig that low into
the platform. They're not allowed to **** up the files, services, or
background processes on that platform.
When you go to the ATM, tell me how you know what embedded OS is
employed by that device? Yep, that's right, you're not allowed to
access the OS in any manner whatsoever and you haven't a clue what
embedded (and often highly customized) OS is running on that ATM. It's
none of your business getting at the OS and you don't care what is the
OS when you use an ATM. So you're just as stupid as the car shop clerk
that you lambasted.
You really think customized platforms that are highly customized, use an
embedded OS, and are a specific-use platform have to present the GUI
that you're used to on your general-purpose platform? You simply
exposed your limited exposure to how computers can be deployed. Guess
you've never yourself used a well-protected kiosk machine. So what OS
is running on that self-service video movie dispensing machine? Why
would you care?
Not all computing platforms are going to present the same GUI that
you're used to with a general-purpose OS on consumer-grade hardware.
