>>>>>I really really like the idea - but it seems like one of those things that's just too good to be true. I will wait for a while and see how it progresses before I put any $ down.
>>>
>>>As with most simple ideas or solutions to complex problems, you need to observe that if it were so obvious/easy, anybody could do it. And would have. E.g. there has to be a reason why MS isn't putting proper Windows OS onto phone devices that have more storage and processor power than my first 286. Wonder what it is.
>>
>>Your 286 never had a "proper" Windows OS.
>
>Up to 3.1 version there was at least a clear distinction between OS and graphic shell: it was easy to just install Dos to have an uncluttered system. Same was doable in OS/2 at start (AFAIR I worked on 1.1 and did not need to install the "Presentation Manager" and Linux held out for pure command line installs much longer ;-)

DOS was/is just a program loader, not an OS, let alone any sort of "proper" OS.

A lot of *n?xs still install in character mode (albeit with C-Worthy-style pseudo graphical/windowing), and you can certainly run the results in character mode (especially any server versions).

>NT was stable, but the fixed link to graphic shell and its needed installs were there rom start ? So I question the term [ "proper" Windows OS]
>;-)

Well, regarding GUI being linked to the OS - the product is "Windows", after all ;)

>I think the trend for dockerized environments mirrors the need to define and deploy in "basic OS functionality" vs. balloning "OS" installs needed in traditional VMs.

In at least 2 areas we're in something of a new golden age for minimalist computing.

In major data centres: getting maximum computing bang for the buck or watt. Also there's increasing recognition that having bloated OSs means more bugs and large attack surfaces. If they can get the security issues sorted with Docker et. al. it'll certainly become even more attractive for general purpose use. Apparently Google uses it extensively: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/05/23/google_containerization_two_billion/

Microsoft's answer to some of these concerns is Nano Server:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/windowsserver/archive/2015/04/08/microsoft-announces-nano-server-for-modern-apps-and-cloud.aspx
https://sec.ch9.ms/sessions/ignite/2015/BRK2461.mp4

64-bit only, no local management, manage via tools such as PowerShell - in some ways even more minimalist than *n?x server installations.

In minimalist/mobile hardware: a different sort of computing bang for the buck, or bang for the joule with battery-powered devices. Low TDP ARM designs, cheap and capable SoCs, plug computers/Raspberry Pi/C.H.I.P. etc.