As Microsoft Moves to MinWin, Servers Gain, Desktops May Lose
That does not sound quite right, does it? How can a change that makes an operating system lighter be a bad thing for the individual user? However, that certainly is the way it is described in an article on Ars Technica.
The article gives us some history of the bloat of Windows, and why today it must be. Explained is the fact that the dynamic link library, once thought to be the savior of Windows, from the specter of bloat, was really the heart of the problem.
In an effort to keep the number of DLLs needed to a minimum, a few key DLLs have been expanded well beyond the expectations of those first architects of Windows. So much has been packed into these few structures that a minimum installation of Windows 2008 Server R2 can exceed a full-boat installation of Windows 2000. In the explanation of what is going on, it becomes clear why some shops ran Windows 2000 Server well past the recommended time, and some are still using it today.
Also highlighted is the fact that what adds to bloat is that many parts of the interface must be administered by the use of a GUI, with no command line equivalent whatsoever.
Though the effort is being made to change this, change is very, very slow. The coming change is certainly shown by the use of, and reliance upon, the Powershell (rev.2.0). As more administrators become more familiar with, or are forced to become familiar with, Powershell, more of the GUI bloat can be removed from Windows Server installations. Windows Server installations can become smaller and less encumbered by that bloat, much like the modern Ubuntu Server installations can be very small, without the install of a GUI.
Where the loss to the desktop user comes is that writers in the know have proclaimed that chances are high that once the MinWin concept takes over, to gain all that is included in a full desktop installation today will require the user to purchase several packages from Microsoft, in effect allowing Microsoft to gouge the customer for the functionality equivalent to that delivered today.
The article is not that long, a very full 2 pages. It is certainly an informative read, and I suggest following all of the hyperlinks, which takes the full read to about 6 – 7 pages, but again, this is an important read for anyone wanting to understand both history and future of Windows.
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