I don't think monoculture applies here, it's language. Programmers and administrators are all communicating with the same language, which, in this case is MS Windows -- it does cost more money to write applications that will work on Windows, Linux, Mac and SunOS. It truly is more efficient to agree on one standard.

When I write software, I write it to work equally well in all POSIX environments -- but I have been trained correctly over MANY years. Since learning to program in college in 1977, I've worked with about 20 OSes starting with Univac 1108. Quite honestly, I'm tired of always having to adapt to new systems, and that's probably why I love Linux so much. Linux, having been spiritually derived from Unix, is essentially the same to program as the Unix workstations that came before it.

Oddly enough, Linux has been a more stable base than has MS Windows. An MS programmer has had to work with DOS, Windows 3.0, 3.1, WFWG, 95, ME, NT, 2000, XP and now Vista. While that's bad enough, the problem has been compounded with constantly changing DLLs, .NET, ActiveX, C#, a dozen versions of Visual BASIC, VB Script, VBA, etcetera. The point is, a programmer has a full time job keeping up with Microsoft, there's no time left in the day for any other system.

I don't think monoculture applies to engineered products, when an adaptation is required, engineering is applied directly, there's no need to wait for the "strongest" to survive. Look at the inefficiencies in the auto industry (an industry more dedicated to serving the ego than to transportation needs), collectively, we'd all be better off driving limited model selection, high production volume, high gas-mileage cars. The original VW Beetle really didn't have much going for it, but parts, repairs and modifications were easy, inexpensive and efficient since they were ubiquitous.

This is an interesting, timely discussion with lots of great information, I haven't seen two very relevant points discussed, though.

Passengers seek standards. The biggest problem with delays is that we never know when they will end. When you're sitting on the tarmac, being fed wrong information over and over, trying to figure out what happens when you arrive at your destination one hour later... no strike that, 2 hours... no, 3 hours, the thought that there will be termination to this, even if not optimum, will be comforting. I've even heard people joking that death would bring acceptable relief. Let's set up the rules in advance, that's all -- whether standards or laws, we don't care, as long as we all know what the are.

Airlines will prophylactically cancel more flights. As the likelihood of a flight exceeding the tarmac rules increases, the flight will be canceled. Consider this, why does a Saturday stay mean lower cost for an airline? It doesn't, business travelers pay more for their tickets and don't stay over a Saturday. Airlines have been gaming ticket prices and overbooking for a long time, gaming the weather won't be any more difficult. The cool thing is that all air travel will be improved, flights will be canceled in inverse proportion to what conditions allow. Also, it's easier for a traveler to accomodate a canceled flight than a delayed flight, on average, half the flyers are flying from home and can stay there. And even if the delays aren't that bad, who actually wants to fly in the worst part of a storm anyway, the passenger, the pilot?

...Dan

I think you miss the point of no speed limits -- it would be complete "anarchy" to Germans to have a rule that would be arbitrary in it's enforcement (like most countries of the world). Consider this, how many of us routinely exceed the speed limits, most of us?

I think the lack of a speed limit is a conscious decision that imposing an arbitrary limit on speed, regardless of vehicle condition, vehicle performance, loading,and driver skill is ridiculous. I believe Germans want rules that make sense, they're much easier to follow and you don't even have to make the calculation to whether or not you should comply.

I also believe speed limits on the Autobahn stands as a metaphor for achievement and performance in general. Arbitrary limits on speed first, what next, limits on scientific achievement?

...Dan

I have no thoughts whatsoever on the status of utilities in India, I have never been there. I do, however, own a cell phone with a built-in flashlight.

The built-in flashlight is a handy little thing that allows me to get around my poorly lit backyard, or pull out and identify my keys late at night. Besides a flashlight, my cell phone includes a calculator, an alarm, stopwatch, still/video camera and MP3/movie player.

I think it's quite a stretch to infer anything from the features of someones cell phone. Besides, most of these "flashlights" function as flashes while taking pictures or videos from the phone.

...Dan