8086 memory space was: The Soul of Barb's New Machine 1161

Partly right. First; the collective code base for PCs that consbreastute Linux and the more PC-centric FreeBSD are still absorbing innovation from the last 30 years into a consolidated code base. They started on a baseline of a SVR4-like system, and have incorporated most good stuff from Tops20, and a lot from the IBM maiframes; and some ideas from Multics. Lots of things are still missing. Linux only recently got a really good "galaxy" (cups).

But they can do amazing things when they focus on it. SMP is now well integrated into Linux and FreeBSD, but it was painful. A real network file system (like AFS, not NFS), fine grained access control etc is still missing.

I guess we still have 10 years to go in "reimplementation mode". But I don't consider this bad; at least they are willing to adopt the good ideas, and try very hard to integrate them into a coherent system.

The development goes on elsewhere. On portability NetBSD has taken a clear lead. On security and verification OpenBSD has taken off. Other BSDs will fill other niches.

Yes and no. The process involves anyone interested. Thare are no barriers stopping customers to act as peers in this process. Not that many participate; but there are some.

-- mrr