On 8 Mar 1999, Eric Smith wrote:
  I actually *like* CP/M, for what it was designed and
intended for.
 I just think that trying to add bags on the side in an attempt to turn it
 into a "real system" will only result in a nasty kludge with lots of bags
 on the side.  After all, that's exactly how the Microsoft stuff got to
 where it is today.  So if GNU started today on a project like you're
 proposing, in 18 years we would have GNU Windows, which would be every
 bit as crufty and unreliable as MS Windows NT and 98 are now. 
No, I don't think so.  If FSF started on anything so foolish (very
doubtful proposition), under the terms of the GPL there would be a
split and something better would be done from the previous code base
and the world would not end.  The FSF _doesn't_ own everything
covered by the GPL.
--
Ward Griffiths
"the timid die just like the daring; and if you don't take the plunge then
you'll just take the fall"                                Michael Longcor