Your comment regarding "[a] tried and true OS, that doesn't crash or require constant maintenance" seems a bit unfair. If anything, *nix OSs require a higher level of maintenance and constant attention than your average end-user OSs. This all boils down to semantics and situation-specific scenarios as well. Millions of devices already contain "OSs" that handle numerous operations specific to the device and its operations. It's when you try to create a system that is open-ended and modular that problems arise, due to unforeseen actions and untested combinations of hardware, software and user customization. How the failsafes are implemented is the ultimate "key" factor here.

I've yet to see an operating system or piece of software that didn't crash, or exhibit anomalous behavior from time to time. I've also not seen an operating system that was inherently more stable than another, when it has been loaded with equal numbers of third-party software and hardware drivers.

I do agree, however, that nothing in the video was particularly stunning or exciting. If anything, it was derivative to the point of being bland and uninspired. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like some of the gadgetry, though. I would particularly love a huge (and high resolution) multitouch-enabled smart surface for painting, drawing and Photoshopping.

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Who da wha?!? Unix systems once setup don't need constant maintenance...they just work. Unix systems are far more solid/reliable than corresponding Win systems. It's called deterministic/quality software vs. a rat's nest of crap/bloat that is win code.

I've applied EVERY linux/rh/ubuntu patch on my home systems without thinking (kernel too) and never been bit once...yet I've had Windows updates kill my system prob' 10 times in past 10 years.

Constant attention? You must be thinking of Windows boxes. There's a reason mission critical apps run on *nix...they're proven to do the job.

@beekerstudios: Stay the course dude!

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IT professionals recognize that a Windows server environment, and a *nix environment, both properly and consistently maintained, have good performance, security and stability. Cost and scalability will vary widely depending on a multitude of factors.

I reiterate, there is no system that doesn't require maintenance, updates and good IT procedure in order to remain stable and perform well. Instability derives from poor third-party support and ignorance of maintenance. Any other claims are specious reasoning or ignorance based on bias. Unix and Linux systems are definitely not "set it and forget it" by any means. Any administator who takes that tack (regardless of platform) is likely to find him or herself out of a job in short order. There is also that fact that in order to maintain security and stability (in conjunction with scalability) that changes to Linux systems, notably Redhat, often violate support agreements, causing numerous problems for enterprise-class server deployments.

Your claim that mission critical apps run on *nix servers is also specious and without merit or proof. There are numerous misison-critical apps that run on Windows servers, Apple servers, as well *nix servers. I use Windows, but I'm not blind to the fact that other deployments provide benefits to their infrastructures and administrators. I also am aware that each has shortcomings as well.

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