@kjb434: "A proven OS with a very large customer base"? Are you referring to OSX? The operating system on iPhone isn't exactly what you have on an Apple desktop, is it? It's a very tenuous claim at best that you are making. And Linux definitely does qualify as a "Proven OS with a very large customer base" - more so than OSX. If you didn't know, Android is a flavor of Linux. On the claim of 'on-board storage' adding the extra cost, iPhone doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard or trackball as pointed out be E below. So, again, that is an apples to oranges comparison (pun unintended).
All that said, if HTC really is making the G1 at such a cost, and if their off-the-shelf markup on the G1 ($399) is representative of their other phones, Damn, theirs is the stock to buy right now!
Look up BartPE. I haven't put BartPE on a usb flash drive yet, but I know it's been done. I'll be building a usb flash drive version in a few weeks and will blog about it, so if you are still empty handed in 1.5 months, run another google search and you should be able to find my post.
Good summary, but I hate to point out that the 'kernel' you talk about isn't what you think it is. The kernel is simply the core of the operating system. You, as a user, never do anything with or in the kernel. The 'text' based 'thingy' you are talking about is called a shell. The simpler shells in Linux are text based. A 'windowing' environment is a 'graphical shell'.
Mind you, this is no different in any of the Microsoft OSs. The 'basic' bootup mode for Windows has been a command prompt since the very first version of Windows. I haven't used Vista, but even upto XP, you need to boot into 'Command Prompt Only' mode if things get really screwed up.
This information is undoubtedly confusing for a newbie, so it's best not to mention anything about the shell, rather than call the 'kernel' the 'shell'.
Retail stores potentially have a lot of value, if they were smart enough to exploit it. Many modern consumer electronics gadgets are plenty complicated with a user interface and lots of features. You cannot get a feel for that kind of complexity by looking at screenshots and 'user reviews' where most reviewers just say 'I took it home and it works great! This product is A+++'.
A very good idea would be to convert retail stores into museums of sorts. You will have to pay a small price to enter, but you can try out various new gadgets before you buy them. Then, if you want to buy it, you can either order it in the store for home delivery, or you can buy a unit on the spot, but at a premium. No need to keep large warehouses for continued stocks, and you build a great brand name by being consumer friendly!
Getting back to topic, I also think that CompUSA was a good chain of stores - much better than Best Buy or Circuit City. Too bad upper management has become synonymous with high level mismanagement these days.
"I need help! I want a small pocket camcorder but I'm not sure which one to get. I don't want to fall into the hype of the Flip because I worry two hours won't be enough. What should I be looking for when considering a small camcorder and where can I get a good quality one with expandable memory? Thanks!"
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