Alright, believe it or not, I have an idea which would make all hardware compatible with all OSes on future machines. Unfortunately, it is a hardware/firmware solution (instead of software), and, therefore, I cannot implement it as I lack the funds.
Anyhow, I would like to see this implemented so badly that I will freely throw this idea out there---------feel free to implement the idea (if you have the right personal connections or know how to get/organize them)
Basically, use BIOS calls for every hardware interfacing task. Also have one standard BIOS interrupt which will one can poll for each individual function to see if it is supported. (The OS can do this once, then use all implemented functions)
Basically, have different BIOS calls for all types of possible hardware. In these calls, extend ridiculous abilities for the hardware in some functions. For example, have functions to test for the 20th mouse button down/up/etc.... While such do not exist yet, this allows for future expandibility on hardware. Simply, with most mice attached, calls to check to see if the 20th mouse button exists will return that it does not, and the OS will know to ignore that (or map it onto a real mouse button at its own discretion).
Now, do this, but imagining for any possible types of hardware------will be calls for mice, keyboards, cameras, scanners, label readers, card readers, monitors, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD-ROM drives, CD burners, DVD burners, network cards, modems, etc..... for all pieces of real and foreseen hardware of the future. (For example, have calls for virtual reality hand motion devices, virtual reality viewing glasses, etc......)
Now, have a specific specification for EACH exact type of hardware with the foreseen function calls. Each hardware can have a different specification (API functions which the hardware ROM would have to provide at specific memory locations within the ROM, etc....)
Now, a majority of your major hardware manufacturing and BIOS companies in the industry would have to agree to do these things in order for this to even work.
Suppose they did agree.
Then all any OSes would have to do is simply call into the published new BIOS APIs for ALL hardware interfacing. There would be NO need for any proprietary device drivers. (In fact, the only you would use is if you wanted an abstraction on the BIOS interface within the OS for application level programs.)
Publish the standard API for this BIOS publicly and for free on the Internet.
Now, say, in a few years, were these computers made with the new BIOSes supporting these features and sold----and by the time anything not using these BIOSes is considered obsolete (shouldn't be that long, should this kick into high gear), then you would have something remarkable happen! For the first time in a long time, it will be possible and feasible for any ISV to simply create his/her own operating system, WITHOUT fear that people won't use it or buy it because this or that hardware doesn't work on it. Then it will truly be whoever has the best operating system will rein supreme, and not who has the most market share. Productivity will RAPIDLY increase as operating systems become more competitive and less controlled and limited. Things will get better and better and prices will drop and drop. Billions and Billions of dollars will be made by almost everyone involved in the software industry at that time as things will BOOM.
The more astute among you might question "Well, wouldn't they run out of interrupt numbers to assign and/or addresses?" Well, not neccessarily--not if they do it right. I see this as entirely possible with little more than a plug in card (or a few) which contain these advanced BIOSes on them. The old tried-and-true BIOS can remain for legacy purposes. Also, multiplex your interrupt numbers, subfunctions, etc right and you can extend it almost indefinitely.
The hardware industry would surely BOOM during this era as people would no longer have to worry about buying this or that hardware because of considering if it was compatible or not. THEY WOULD ALL BE COMPATIBLE!
Hardware sales would flourish. People would buy and buy. The economy would skyrocket. Software sales, accordingly, would skyrocket. The rich get richer and so does everybody else AND more people will have opportunities! EVERYBODY WINS!
.......and this can all be and will be if only the major hardware and BIOS manufacturers would first agree to do this.
Oh yeah, and if this ever does go into effect, and anyone wants to place/hire me onto any sorts of new BIOS API/hardware/etc committees/positions/etc with the major companies in the industry, I would be more than willing to accept such an offer. I have programmed in C, C++, Java, x86 assembly language, MIPS assembly language (under an emulator), and quite a few others. I have made programs for DOS, Windows3.1, Windows95, Linux, and UNIX.
I believe very strongly that this would be the next step towards a better future for computing and, really, for everyone.
As always, please discuss and give your input. (Better input produces better output
)
PM me if you wish to discuss anything personal. All else feel free to contribute to this thread.
This has been TechIMO's Jüš† ä gü¥, over and out
Universal Hardware Compatibility Idea
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