Microsoft and Pi

My Windows 8.1 Phone with Internet Explorer is, so far, the best device I have used to view my RPi-Cam Control v4.2.3 (GASP! from the crowd...). I have never had to load a hardware driver specifically to run any hardware I have on my RPi, including 7 year old Biometric fingerprint readers.  My Windows 7 lab, Windows 8 lab, and Windows 10 Preview lab all require specific drivers. None of these will run most of my 7 year old legacy hardware.

When I purchased my first Timex Sinclair ZX81, before there were IBM/Microsoft Personal Computers (PC), everyone realized there was no compatibility between 'home' computer manufacturers and 'porting from one platform to another was difficult. Compatibility between home computers was non-existent. Before IBM made Bill Gates the Software King, you could run his Microsoft Excel program only on the Apple I.

In an odd sort of way IBM and Microsoft, two of the largest proprietary companies, have provided a path to more compatibility than we ever believed possible in the early 1980's.  The comments and opinions in this thread are a good indication of the fact there is still plenty of road left on the journey to computer compatibility.  We are still in the earliest stages of developing hardware.  And we would all be well served to remember:

"Whatever hardware manufacturers give us (in performance as example), software manufacturers take away!

As long as there are new advances in hardware capabilities, there will always be different software approaches on how to utilize them.  This is good, but does not lend itself to compatibility.  My approach is use them all and understand the developers approach, hardware and software. Warning... this action takes time, patience, and understanding.

Now you have been warned!

My Windows 8.1 Phone with Internet Explorer is, so far, the best device I have used to view my RPi-Cam Control v4.2.3 (GASP! from the crowd...). I have never had to load a hardware driver specifically to run any hardware I have on my RPi, including 7 year old Biometric fingerprint readers.  My Windows 7 lab, Windows 8 lab, and Windows 10 Preview lab all require specific drivers. None of these will run most of my 7 year old legacy hardware.

When I purchased my first Timex Sinclair ZX81, before there were IBM/Microsoft Personal Computers (PC), everyone realized there was no compatibility between 'home' computer manufacturers and 'porting from one platform to another was difficult. Compatibility between home computers was non-existent. Before IBM made Bill Gates the Software King, you could run his Microsoft Excel program only on the Apple I.

In an odd sort of way IBM and Microsoft, two of the largest proprietary companies, have provided a path to more compatibility than we ever believed possible in the early 1980's.  The comments and opinions in this thread are a good indication of the fact there is still plenty of road left on the journey to computer compatibility.  We are still in the earliest stages of developing hardware.  And we would all be well served to remember:

"Whatever hardware manufacturers give us (in performance as example), software manufacturers take away!

As long as there are new advances in hardware capabilities, there will always be different software approaches on how to utilize them.  This is good, but does not lend itself to compatibility.  My approach is use them all and understand the developers approach, hardware and software. Warning... this action takes time, patience, and understanding.

Now you have been warned!