OS-tan theories and disscusion

[Aurora Borealis]

Wow! Lots of sappyness! More than I can shake a stack of flapjacks at! *sniffle* Reading your latest conjecture made me think different about Multics-sama. How she seemed like an abusive mother and stuffy aristocrat at a first glance... Wouldn't have guessed that her life (before Unix was around) was so difficult and that she was her own demise!

I am also extremely curious about that story idea of Mac-tan and 95-tan buddying up 20 years in the future! How and shat happens then, and who are those 'familiar faces' in the Binteeji Renmei?

[Bella]

Reading your latest conjecture made me think different about Multics-sama. How she seemed like an abusive mother and stuffy aristocrat at a first glance... Wouldn't have guessed that her life (before Unix was around) was so difficult and that she was her own demise!

Yeah, I used to think the same thing about Multics-sama. But reading about how many people thought Multics would never be built (developers included), and how to this day many think it failed dismally made me think otherwise...

I almost forgot to mention, for quite a while her caretakers spent huge amounts of money trying to keep the young Multics-sama in a good state of mind (because, especially in it's early history, Multics used TONS of money in resources). They would have dressed her in the best clothes, given her the best food, set her in the best accommodations, and had people waiting on her hand and foot. While she went along with this at first, she soon realized that none of this could make up for her own personal problems, and started to reject some of this treatment...

But to counteract this sap, I have a few fun facts!

-Like, did you know Multics-sama is fluent in Latin? (Mostly just because Multics, on one occasion, gave a Latin error message)

http://www.multicians.org/hodie-natus-est.html

It would be her idea of a joke to start talking in Latin to her Multicians and leave them wondering just what the heck she's saying XD

-And while her anthropomorphism is the snowy owl, I think her favorite animal is the eagle. Besides there being a "Multics Man" comic strip where his "sidekick" is the FSO eagle:

http://www.multicians.org/mulimg/multicsman.gif

I think an eagle would be an animal Multics-sama would admire...they symbolize power, pride, freedom, and fierceness...

Another thing I just noticed, however, about that comic is that there's also Daemon sidekicks (shown as...WTF? A winged hand and eye?!). I suppose "daemons" originated with Multics...I've done Unix daemon-tans, now I wanna do Multics daemon-tans (and make them...erm...not creepy...)

-I should also note I see Multics-sama as having a very sweet, frolicsome, almost child-like streak, when interacting with those she is fond of. While very shy as a youth, and quite mentally unable to handle having too many people around her, with the tutoring of CTSS-sama, later in life she was spectacularly social.

(At first, Multics could barely handle 1/3 of a user. Later on, it could handle thousands)

I am also extremely curious about that story idea of Mac-tan and 95-tan buddying up 20 years in the future! How and shat happens then, and who are those 'familiar faces' in the Binteeji Renmei?

I guess...a lot of our current OS-tans...?

*edited to add some more fun facts*

[C-Chan]

*stares dumbstruck at Tidal Wave O' Text 'n' Sap*

Wow,.... that's enough to drown even z/OS-sama.  @v@'

I know that you know what comes next.  ^^;

....

But don't worry, cause I'll actually be back with the remainder of your present.  You'll swoon so much by its greatness, you'll forget all about my hyperinflationary rainchecks.  ^^;

*C-chan quietly scurries off*

[Bella]

*stares dumbstruck at Tidal Wave O' Text 'n' Sap*

Wow,.... that's enough to drown even z/OS-sama. @v@'

I know that you know what comes next. ^^;

....

But don't worry, cause I'll actually be back with the remainder of your present. You'll swoon so much by its greatness, you'll forget all about my hyperinflationary rainchecks. ^^;

*C-chan quietly scurries off*

Uh...oh...this raincheck better not bounce. Lest I get my raincheck collection agency after you

[C-Chan]

No worries, I have plenty of funds now.... ^__^

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!  ^v^



http://ostan-collections.net/imeeji/albums/userpics/10570/OpenVMS_final.png

And now that I'm done with Operation Bella Boost, time to move on to you-know-what.  ^.^

[Bella]

*uber-mega-glomp*

This is such a gorgeous picture! There's nothing I can say that will do this picture justice, but I'll try...The pose is spectacular, her expression is perfect, I think you've really captured her attitude; and I love what you did with her hair.

Her outfit is stunning, from the excellent shading and highlighting (which makes a great leather effect), to the small details like the buckles, straps and knife belt. The cleaver is beautifully done, I love how you worked the reflections into it. And the knife or sword in her right hand is a nice touch, too.

As if VMS-sama herself isn't perfect enough, you made a very imaginative background, too. I'm really loving the sharks...especially the grimacing one on the right heehee. The reflections in the water and on the sharks are great, and the way you worked reflections into the rest of the picture draw everything together.

The steps and neon lighting are a very futuristic touch, that, as I've said before, lends the HQ a certain cool secret lair feel. The beam on the left, with the CIOST symbol and the...rope lighting(?) actually reminds me, a bit, of a modern mainframe.

I know this is biased of me, but I'd say this is the best...and my favorite...of your works. It does a great justice to one of my favorite characters, and one of the last great OSs, hehe. Thank you for a great birthday gift, that was certainly worth the wait!

[Aurora Borealis]

Everything about that picture is pure awesome and so beautifully well-done! I am nearly speechless but I shall try...

The futuristic setting, the rendering of the water, the sharks (I especially like the one that looks like it's smiling!), VMS-sama (who is so cool herself!), and all of the reflections, shading and highlighting (such remarkable attention to all those details!)

[C-Chan]

Thank you Bella-sama, Aurora-hime, for all the kind words.  ^___^
I will reply to you ladies, but over at my thread and probably tomorrow,... cause after all, I still have a lot of sap to make syrup out of.  ^.^

*starts typing*

Added after 45 minutes:

....except for Plan9 and Slackware

(two OSs which...supposedly, for the latter...follow the Worse is Better approach)

And not surprisingly, both OS-tans....... ARE OLD!!!!!!!!!!!  >v<

Now take young, hip, Generation "Z"sters like Puppy-chan, the Damn Small-tans, and the like!  ^.^

Oh, I can see that meeting...

95: Hey, so I tried to wipe out your entire people, and succeeded in destroying most of your culture, but that's don't mean we can't be friends!

Mac: Well, I led a resurgence that made your kin second-class from a consumer viewpoint, so, sounds fair to me!

Yeah, in brainstorming that idea, I project that the Macs are eventually able to overtake their former rivals.  However, this is not for market dominance anymore, since the future inevitably falls to Open Sourcerers.  ^___^

But, the idea of coming up with future stories is...kinda interesting...! I'll admit I've had thoughts of what might happen...

*imagines XP-tan after she gets shamelessly booted from the family by ungrateful newcomers*

*A brief stint with the A$C, hangin' with the open source types and befriending their program-tans, maybe running off to Grandma for some help....*

*imagination runs wild @___@*

Yeah, don't forget your little imaginative run with LULTICS and stuff. ^.^

Indeed, while projecting future stories takes up much resources away from present-day stuff, you have to admit it's kinda fun.  ^___^

Other interesting projections I've thought of in my scenario:

- UNIX-sama eventually cedes her thrown to Linux-sama, and retires to life along wtth the Vintage-tans.
- During particular hard times, some of the escaping Windows-tans do get helped out by VMS-sama, where the truth is finally revealed.  While they may lose a dynasty, they gain a hidden heritage.
- OS/2-sama never does get Open Sauced, but eComstation-tan does (or at least partially) and is able to carry on the lineage.  Meanwhile, OS/2 retires and sits at the same table with Mac-tan and 95-tan.  ^.^'
- The Mainframe Guild has been changed dramatically thanks to the Linuces, and has opened up to the rest of the world in a highly-coordinated effort to become fast, small, efficient and power-saving.  The days of imposing, hulking, close-minded giants is a footnote in history.
- The Binteji Renmei grows in size, membership and influene -- coupled with strong ties to the Linux Federation and the prestige of some of its high-grade members (e.g., UNIX-sama), it is literally a forced to be reckoned with.  A consciousness of "old is beautiful" is able to make its small renaissance around the world.
- Many more open source competitors have emerged over the years since (including one led by Inferno-chan), but the nature of things forces a regress to the age of chivalric battles.  
- Amiga-sama is also able to become open-sourced finally.  Despite her age, she is able to get married, form a proper family, and use her powers to help people like never before.

Foresight! Shape-shifting! Speaking foreign tongues! The human emotion called "kindness"! What power does the Goddess not possess!

Fufu... it'd be insulting to assume she DIDN'T have at least those little tricks.  ^.^;
Otherwise, MULTICS-sama would've yanked that pole out of her hands LOOOOOOOOOONG ago.  ^^;

But that's gonna have to be one heck of an Open Sourcery spell -__-

Oh it is.  Complete with a play of "Cyberbird" when it happens.  ^^

Nah, Plan 9-sama was impressed so much by my depiction of her, she necromanced me back into the world of the living

*notices I'm dead...again...*

Uh...oh.....

LOL x2  ^V^

Perhaps...but I think Unix-sama is much more likely. I hear tell that the Unix Source Code was bounced all over hell and creation (as a means of studying the system, as the source was often the only type of "documentation") until the mid 70's when AT&T put their foot down. Even then people continued to photocopy the book containing the code...

You're right.  ^.^
I suppose then that it wasn't hard for Bell Labs to eventually open sauce the earlier Unix builds.  After all,... EVERYONE had a copy of it by now.  ^____^;

've been leaning that way, too. I also think that Mistress DTSS-sama may not be able to communicate too well, relying on her servant to speak for her (as one machine did the processing, and the other was used for communication)...

Oh then that would be extra sad.  Can we say "Apple Lisa", people.....  ;___;

That's so funny! I've often compared Unix and Multics to an army Jeep and a Rolls Royce XD

Which one do you think would be more useful?

Well that depends.  ^.^
For trips to the Gentleman's Club,... Rolls Royce.
For everything else (including staying alive after a crash).....

....

I rest my case.  ^^;

Oh yes, I'm sure CTSS-sama would have been the only one who never gave up on Multics-sama. I'm sure she would have seen Multics-sama as the daughter she never had, and would have treated her as such. I see them as having a very close relationship for the day.

That lovely second picture of CTSS-sama looks even better now.  ^________^

That's it!  I'm gonna compile the old lady this instant!  ^0^

Although it would have been undoubtedly shocking for Multics-sama (and Unix-sama, for that matter), to see each other; as, alike as they may be, they had been designed and trained in ways that made them polar opposites. Sure, Unix-sama may carry a complex about being quite plain compared to her mother, but who's to say Multics-sama didn't feel some self-hatred? All that complexity that essentially made her....her....turned out to be terrible liability. And maybe she had just a grain of envy for daughter, who lived unfettered by such shackles...at least until their encounter, when Multics-sama shed some of that power and it was transfered to Unix-sama.

That is an amazing insight.  ^___^

And just to carry the point, there are times when UNIX-sama does consider that power to be a curse.  She MUST keep the world running and surveyed at all times, she cannot die, and she always has to deal with envious eyes and the myriad ghosts of her past.  I think the recent Beowulf movie illustrates that feeling quite well.  

Sometimes she secretly yearns for the days when life was so much simpler.....

Not too long ago I would have thought Multics-sama was an arrogant aristocrat, but it seems life was not so easy for her and for a long while she was shunned herself by the technical community.

Well she certainly HAD to behave like an arrogant aristocrat to earn the respect of the most powerful families of her day.  I imagine that as she subsequently lost her power and her lands, the two-facedness of her so-called acquaintenances revealed itself, and she was forced (for a while) to endure the same kind of social stigma that UNIX-sama put up with during her rise to power.  

In short, almost from birth Multics-sama was made to carry responsibilities she couldn't handle; far too many grandiose hopes and promises were made about her, and she felt obligated to fulfill these at the cost of her heath, and almost her life. I suppose, there came a point when she could comfortably carry out her duties, but it was not so long afterward that Unix-sama proved she could do so better.

In a way then it is true that her fall from power was both traumatic and yet strangely therapeutic.  In the original story I wrote up -- featuring the two meeting together for the last time in Northern Canada -- I pictured MULTICS-sama as being near-death, but eventually able to converse with UNIX-sama about pleasant small talk, the kind of things they never treated themselves with before.  In the context of what you just said, I can say that this is MULTICS-sama after she has finally sought peace with herself.  The last thing she would need is to feel like a mother again, which she was able to do in the last few moments of her life.

Apparently, RSTS/E is available for non-commercial use via Telnet. A similar program exists with *schoolgirlish squeal* VMS!!!

I'll match that squeal!!!  ^v^

*squeals like pig having his tail pulled*

*follows up with Marge Simpson-like nagging sound*

At this point, you may be wondering what good can be gained by remotely connecting with an OS, using a command line interface that makes a GUI hugger like I more than a bit intimidated. I dunno, but I guess it's neat to say you've communicated with an historic OS...

Even if you don't get far past the "PLEASE SAY HELLO" prompt XD

*Discos-out to go stalk VMS...*

Fufu.... I betcha Bella-sama has new motivation to try that thing again after seeing my present.  ^____^

Good for you though....

Don't be intimidated,... it's Grandma NT, after all.  ^____^

========

In any event, kinda late so I'll have to end it here,  Was fun, though.  ^.^

[Aurora Borealis]

Other interesting projections I've thought of in my scenario:

- UNIX-sama eventually cedes her thrown to Linux-sama, and retires to life along wtth the Vintage-tans.
- During particular hard times, some of the escaping Windows-tans do get helped out by VMS-sama, where the truth is finally revealed.  While they may lose a dynasty, they gain a hidden heritage.
- OS/2-sama never does get Open Sauced, but eComstation-tan does (or at least partially) and is able to carry on the lineage.  Meanwhile, OS/2 retires and sits at the same table with Mac-tan and 95-tan.  ^.^'
- The Mainframe Guild has been changed dramatically thanks to the Linuces, and has opened up to the rest of the world in a highly-coordinated effort to become fast, small, efficient and power-saving.  The days of imposing, hulking, close-minded giants is a footnote in history.
- The Binteji Renmei grows in size, membership and influene -- coupled with strong ties to the Linux Federation and the prestige of some of its high-grade members (e.g., UNIX-sama), it is literally a forced to be reckoned with.  A consciousness of "old is beautiful" is able to make its small renaissance around the world.
- Many more open source competitors have emerged over the years since (including one led by Inferno-chan), but the nature of things forces a regress to the age of chivalric battles.  
- Amiga-sama is also able to become open-sourced finally.  Despite her age, she is able to get married, form a proper family, and use her powers to help people like never before.

UNIX in the Binteji Renmei?! 95-tan able to get along with Mac-tan (or the remaining Mac-tans)?! OPEN SOURCE AMIGA?!?! I think Heck would have also frozen over!...

But gosh those future scenarios sure would be great!

[Kiso]

Uhm... sure sure as heck don't understand what this is all about (aside of the fact that this is a discussion thread about "random" OS-tan stuff)... but I sure laughed a lot. I guess I would be letting myself read up more on this before I made any coherent comment on anythng here.

[Bella]

The futuristic setting, the rendering of the water, the sharks (I especially like the one that looks like it's smiling!), VMS-sama (who is so cool herself!), and all of the reflections, shading and highlighting (such remarkable attention to all those details!)

I love that smiling shark too

And not surprisingly, both OS-tans....... ARE OLD!!!!!!!!!!! >v<

Now take young, hip, Generation "Z"sters like Puppy-chan, the Damn Small-tans, and the like! ^.^

Oh yeah, Slackware-chan was the first Linux distro (but it went by SLS back then)...

But I gotta tell DSL and Puppy-tan...for hipsters, they sure have old skool retro GUIs

Yeah, in brainstorming that idea, I project that the Macs are eventually able to overtake their former rivals. However, this is not for market dominance anymore, since the future inevitably falls to Open Sourcerers. ^___^

If you ask me, the Macs have already taken the cake for the most popular computer/OS. Just about everyone, computer-oriented or not, knows something about them, and a great deal like them. Even if they aren't quite sure what exactly they like, there's just something about Macs that intrigue people

As for them Open Sourcerers....they have a ways to go...

Yeah, don't forget your little imaginative run with LULTICS and stuff. ^.^

Indeed, while projecting future stories takes up much resources away from present-day stuff, you have to admit it's kinda fun. ^___^

Ahhhh, Lultics. The revolutionary Swedish OS that will be made by...Titus Lorvalds?

Ooooh, you pose some interesting possible future scenarios...I'll look at them one by one...

- UNIX-sama eventually cedes her thrown to Linux-sama, and retires to life along wtth the Vintage-tans.

Aw, handing the reins over to Linux-sama I can deal with...but Unix-sama running off to the Vintage-tans...? Noooooooo....!!! For thine Goddess shall reign forever, and ever, and ever!

- During particular hard times, some of the escaping Windows-tans do get helped out by VMS-sama, where the truth is finally revealed. While they may lose a dynasty, they gain a hidden heritage.

Oh yeah...when M$ trashes NT beyond repair (which may have already happened) and decides to ste...I mean to say, implement, a Unix-like system, I can see the NT clan running off to Grandma. After all, there always was something about NT-san and VMS-sama nobody could quite put their finger on

- OS/2-sama never does get Open Sauced, but eComstation-tan does (or at least partially) and is able to carry on the lineage. Meanwhile, OS/2 retires and sits at the same table with Mac-tan and 95-tan. ^.^'

A Mac, a 95 and an OS/2 walk into a bar....

- The Mainframe Guild has been changed dramatically thanks to the Linuces, and has opened up to the rest of the world in a highly-coordinated effort to become fast, small, efficient and power-saving. The days of imposing, hulking, close-minded giants is a footnote in history.

Ahhh, yes, the gentle Linux mainframes ^_^

- The Binteji Renmei grows in size, membership and influene -- coupled with strong ties to the Linux Federation and the prestige of some of its high-grade members (e.g., UNIX-sama), it is literally a forced to be reckoned with. A consciousness of "old is beautiful" is able to make its small renaissance around the world.

Considering the number of people who believe the lifespan for a computer or OS is no more than a few years, I wouldn't put money on it T__T

- Many more open source competitors have emerged over the years since (including one led by Inferno-chan), but the nature of things forces a regress to the age of chivalric battles.

Chivalric battles...? Oooookay....

- Amiga-sama is also able to become open-sourced finally. Despite her age, she is able to get married, form a proper family, and use her powers to help people like never before.

Married...!?!?!?! Children?!?!?! Miggy-sama?!?!?!

Would be nice.... I'm not holding my breath, though.

You're right. ^.^
I suppose then that it wasn't hard for Bell Labs to eventually open sauce the earlier Unix builds. After all,... EVERYONE had a copy of it by now. ^____^;

Heehee...

Oh then that would be extra sad. Can we say "Apple Lisa", people..... ;___;

Yes, but I always though Lisa-tan chose not to talk. I think DTSS-tan would be physically unable : |

Well that depends. ^.^
For trips to the Gentleman's Club,... Rolls Royce.
For everything else (including staying alive after a crash).....

....

I rest my case. ^^;

Exactly

That is an amazing insight. ^___^

And just to carry the point, there are times when UNIX-sama does consider that power to be a curse. She MUST keep the world running and surveyed at all times, she cannot die, and she always has to deal with envious eyes and the myriad ghosts of her past. I think the recent Beowulf movie illustrates that feeling quite well.

Sometimes she secretly yearns for the days when life was so much simpler.....

Yay! Amazing insight! Do I get a prize?

And if you want to carry the point even further, perhaps Multics-sama's loss of power to Unix-sama was some ill-guided attempt, even subconsciously, to rid herself of that power. Perhaps Multics-sama placed it on Unix-sama as some kind of hindrance; assuming that it would sabotage her daughter as it impeded herself...

Well she certainly HAD to behave like an arrogant aristocrat to earn the respect of the most powerful families of her day. I imagine that as she subsequently lost her power and her lands, the two-facedness of her so-called acquaintenances revealed itself, and she was forced (for a while) to endure the same kind of social stigma that UNIX-sama put up with during her rise to power.

That's true. But I do suppose the worse time for her, physically and mentally, would have been her early life (as I said before, many thought Multics would never be built). Even after loosing her power things were fairly steady, with the occasional skirmish (GECOS-san, corporate higher-ups) here and there...I don't think events would have taken a turn for the worse until the late 80s though the 90s (as that's when systems started being shut down).

In a way then it is true that her fall from power was both traumatic and yet strangely therapeutic. In the original story I wrote up -- featuring the two meeting together for the last time in Northern Canada -- I pictured MULTICS-sama as being near-death, but eventually able to converse with UNIX-sama about pleasant small talk, the kind of things they never treated themselves with before. In the context of what you just said, I can say that this is MULTICS-sama after she has finally sought peace with herself. The last thing she would need is to feel like a mother again, which she was able to do in the last few moments of her life.

Exactly. I think Multics-sama would have had a fear of dying alone and forgotten (a la CTSS-sama), so perhaps realizing that somebody...her daughter...remembered her would have somehow lifted her spirits, even though she knew she was finally going to meet her fate -___-

....

SAP THREAT LEVEL: MONUMENTAL

Fufu.... I betcha Bella-sama has new motivation to try that thing again after seeing my present. ^____^

Good for you though....

Don't be intimidated,... it's Grandma NT, after all. ^____^

Oh, it's not VMS I'm scared of...it's the VMS fans...

http://deathrow.vistech.net/

Uhm... sure sure as heck don't understand what this is all about (aside of the fact that this is a discussion thread about "random" OS-tan stuff)... but I sure laughed a lot. I guess I would be letting myself read up more on this before I made any coherent comment on anythng here.

Just a thread to discuss ideas and theories for characters and backstories that wouldn't work anywhere else...In particular, we've been discussing the fascinating and multi-layered saga of Multics (and Unix, for that matter), one of the most ancient and influential systems...

[Kiso]

So.... if I come out of random and decide to call on forth "grandma ENIAC" into the thread... would not blow up anything in particular? lol?

[C-Chan]

So.... if I come out of random and decide to call on forth "grandma ENIAC" into the thread... would not blow up anything in particular? lol?

Well no, but we'd just look at you strange.  0v0

After all, the current OS-tan "grandmother's" hail from the generation living predominantly in the 70's, with the great and great great grandmother's in the 60's.  So ENIAC-hime would definitely be no "grandma".......... she'd be a fossil!  ^>^

And Zuse-hime, AtanasoffBerry-hime, and my old wartime sweetheart Colossus-hime would be even OLDER than her.  ^____^;

We could go back even further to more prehistoric computational machine-tans if you'd like, but we're already stretching it with these machines (no computer before GMOS had an Operating System).  

==================

In any event, still have tons of [Bella] stuff to reply to here, so I'll be right back.  ^__^

[Bella]

So.... if I come out of random and decide to call on forth "grandma ENIAC" into the thread... would not blow up anything in particular? lol?

Well no, but we'd just look at you strange. 0v0

After all, the current OS-tan "grandmother's" hail from the generation living predominantly in the 70's, with the great and great great grandmother's in the 60's. So ENIAC-hime would definitely be no "grandma".......... she'd be a fossil! ^>^

And Zuse-hime, AtanasoffBerry-hime, and my old wartime sweetheart Colossus-hime would be even OLDER than her. ^____^;

We could go back even further to more prehistoric computational machine-tans if you'd like, but we're already stretching it with these machines (no computer before GMOS had an Operating System).

Now, now, I've occasionally wondered if a ENIAC-tan would be designed. Certainly wouldn't be an OS-tan per se, but we've designed hardware-tans before.

Somehow I see her as being very ancient looking...ancient Greek...and either as some kind of oracle, or perhaps an warrior type as ENIAC was used by the Army. She would, of course, have a group of followers, mostly women at that (as ENIAC was probably one of the few computers to ever be programmed mostly by women).

In any event, still have tons of [Bella] stuff to reply to here, so I'll be right back. ^__^

Ooooh, don't forget to take a look at my Multics-sama fun facts a few posts back. If only to keep from an overdose of Sap

[C-Chan]

Now, now, I've occasionally wondered if a ENIAC-tan would be designed. Certainly wouldn't be an OS-tan per se, but we've designed hardware-tans before.

Oh not saying she shouldn't... just saying she's OLD as molasses!  BWAHAHA!!!  ^v^

But no seriously,... I've thought of 101 ways to draw Colossus-hime, and most of them are not PG-rated.  -v-;

I'd say we have to look FAAAAAAAAR back beyond the Greeks for her design.  Say,.... have you ever read Clan of the Cave Bear?  `v'

Ooooh, don't forget to take a look at my Multics-sama fun facts a few posts back. If only to keep from an overdose of Sap

BWAHAHAA!!!!  You think that I?!!!!!!!! C-CHAN?!!!!!!  ...Am going to MINIMIZE the amount of sap in ANYTHING?!!!!!!!!!!!  0v0

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That is so cute... ^.^

*pats Bella-san*

But yeah, I'll reply to it soon.  Just gotta get a few things done here and there.

Added after 3 hours 55 minutes:

Alright, let's get this show on the road!!!  ^v^
[again...]

Wow! Lots of sappyness! More than I can shake a stack of flapjacks at! *sniffle* Reading your latest conjecture made me think different about Multics-sama. How she seemed like an abusive mother and stuffy aristocrat at a first glance... Wouldn't have guessed that her life (before Unix was around) was so difficult and that she was her own demise!

I do have to admit, MULTICS-sama has come along way since my 10-cent story.  ^.^

I am also extremely curious about that story idea of Mac-tan and 95-tan buddying up 20 years in the future! How and shat happens then, and who are those 'familiar faces' in the Binteeji Renmei?

Oh, already said a couple of mine.  ^___^

Yeah, I used to think the same thing about Multics-sama. But reading about how many people thought Multics would never be built (developers included), and how to this day many think it failed dismally made me think otherwise...

You know, the story also has some parallels with Apple Lisa as well.
Sure it was built, but it was too complicated and expensive for its own good, and even many within Apple were sure it would fail.  And ultimately, she succumbed to her lighter, cheaper, simpler sister.  ^___^

Course, Lisa-san is still alive, though.  -v-;

I almost forgot to mention, for quite a while her caretakers spent huge amounts of money trying to keep the young Multics-sama in a good state of mind (because, especially in it's early history, Multics used TONS of money in resources). They would have dressed her in the best clothes, given her the best food, set her in the best accommodations, and had people waiting on her hand and foot. While she went along with this at first, she soon realized that none of this could make up for her own personal problems, and started to reject some of this treatment...

Well if you think about it, that kind of life is a bit monotonous. Normal-minded people at least get bored with monotony, and secretly crave for something different and adventurous to save them from being physically and mentally "caged up".  The girl from Titanic, for instance.  ^^

-Like, did you know Multics-sama is fluent in Latin? (Mostly just because Multics, on one occasion, gave a Latin error message)

BWAHAHA!!!!!!  ^v^
Well that's no surprise, though.... ALL young, stuffy aristocrats are made to learn that dead ol' language.  ^.^
In my own schooling, I was told I could learn either latin, ancient greek or Japanese.  Even though this was long before my Anime era, I still wanted Japanese either way because it seemed most,... relevant.  ^___^

But surprise surprise....... I got Latin.... T__T

....Arbiter elegantiae  -____-'

-And while her anthropomorphism is the snowy owl, I think her favorite animal is the eagle. Besides there being a "Multics Man" comic strip where his "sidekick" is the FSO eagle:

I think an eagle would be an animal Multics-sama would admire...they symbolize power, pride, freedom, and fierceness...

Darn, it says I'm forbidden to access the server.  ;__;

But I get the idea,... I'm not so sure if she'd admire the eagle,... so much as envy it.  After all, it's free out there to catch all the mice it wants.  On the other hand, she's couped up in a palace, not being able to go anywhere.  ^^

Another thing I just noticed, however, about that comic is that there's also Daemon sidekicks (shown as...WTF? A winged hand and eye?!). I suppose "daemons" originated with Multics...I've done Unix daemon-tans, now I wanna do Multics daemon-tans (and make them...erm...not creepy...)

Or you can make them 'Monsters Inc'-style not-too-creepy characters.  ^___^'

-I should also note I see Multics-sama as having a very sweet, frolicsome, almost child-like streak, when interacting with those she is fond of. While very shy as a youth, and quite mentally unable to handle having too many people around her, with the tutoring of CTSS-sama, later in life she was spectacularly social.

Somehow I wonder if,... in her early fights with UNIX-sama,.... once couldn't have been able to distinguish which one of them is the child.  ^v^;

But yeah, I'm glad she matures to a fine vintage later on in life.  ^___^

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Oh,... I'm done already?  '';

Well that's not right,... might as well reply to your stuff about VMS-sama then.  ^^

This is such a gorgeous picture! There's nothing I can say that will do this picture justice, but I'll try...The pose is spectacular, her expression is perfect, I think you've really captured her attitude; and I love what you did with her hair.

Thank you Bella-sama.  You can say, though, that I got inspired by your own attention to detail (especially with clothing).  ^__^

Her outfit is stunning, from the excellent shading and highlighting (which makes a great leather effect), to the small details like the buckles, straps and knife belt. The cleaver is beautifully done, I love how you worked the reflections into it. And the knife or sword in her right hand is a nice touch, too.

The clothing took quite a while to shade, since I was using so many reference shots in order to make sure the lighting was spot on.  Still feel it's a bit patchy, but as long as it does the trick, I'm happy your happy.  ^___^

Can't take credit for all the small details, though, since they all come from YOUR sketches.  ^.^

I've drawn other swords before, and used reference shots to get the right kind of complex gleam you'd normally get off such a metallic surface, so again it's not something that couldn't be easily reproduced (especially now that a certain B-Day girl has the Sauce... ^.^).  

The thing on her right hand, though, is actually her mask.  She's taking it off to pose fo rthe camera, much to the chagrin of the cameraman who now knows what she looks like (and now has to remain in the sub, either as a permanent guest, or shark food).

As if VMS-sama herself isn't perfect enough, you made a very imaginative background, too. I'm really loving the sharks...especially the grimacing one on the right heehee. The reflections in the water and on the sharks are great, and the way you worked reflections into the rest of the picture draw everything together.

Thank you.  ^.^
The shark there is actually not grimacing,... that's how they look like when seen up front.  Pretty scary, no?  ^v^;

All 4 sharks come from different pictures, and the water itself is also a composite of two different acquarium shots.  A lot of the original real-life detail was reproduceable in vector form thanks to blurring effects.

Speaking of which, I'm having a ball playing with the prerelease of Inkscape 0.46!!  ^v^

There's enough stuff in here to make me swoon all the way to next Tuesday!  

The steps and neon lighting are a very futuristic touch, that, as I've said before, lends the HQ a certain cool secret lair feel. The beam on the left, with the CIOST symbol and the...rope lighting(?) actually reminds me, a bit, of a modern mainframe.

It accidentally looks like a mainframe, but just meant it as cool, futuristic, militaresque lighting.  The rope-lighting is meant to be something akin to heating coils, regulating the water temperature.  The recessed lighting on the beams, though,... just a kind of draconian eye-candy.  ^.^;

I know this is biased of me, but I'd say this is the best...and my favorite...of your works. It does a great justice to one of my favorite characters, and one of the last great OSs, hehe. Thank you for a great birthday gift, that was certainly worth the wait!

Why thank you again Bella-sama.  ^__^
You're not wrong,... this is my favorite of my drawings as well.  That's because I pulled all the stops possible to make it extra special for the birthday girl.  I think you've given a lot to OSC, so figured you didn't deserve anything less.  ^___^

And if you want, now you have everything you need to make a cool avatar (that is, once your title changes).  ^__^

Oh, and... did you try hiding Layer 1 yet?  VMS-sama looks awesome rendered over a black background.  ^>^

Everything about that picture is pure awesome and so beautifully well-done! I am nearly speechless but I shall try...

The futuristic setting, the rendering of the water, the sharks (I especially like the one that looks like it's smiling!), VMS-sama (who is so cool herself!), and all of the reflections, shading and highlighting (such remarkable attention to all those details!)

Thank you Aurora-hime.  ^__^
I'm trying to aim for at least two more major drawings,... a quick-shot of PilotOS, and the Amigoid family picture that will be kind of my farewell gift.  That aside from my final collaborative works with you on Zerosanity Xmas and Bella with the Userspace Gang pic, and after that I'll pretty much go into semi-Retirement Mode.  

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In any event,... think that's all for now.  ^__^

*whistles while seemingly pretending that Bella-sama didn't post that HUGE response*

Nah just kidding,... will get to that tomorrow.  ^__^