If Operating Systems Ran Airlines... DOS Airlines Passengers are handed maps, compasses, rulers, pencils, and an airplane manual (shrink wrapped) as they enter the plane. They have to figure out how to get the plane to wherever they want to go. Some succeed very well. Others crash, but they shouldn't have been messing around with the airplane anyway. MAC Airlines All the stewards, stewardesses, captains, baggage handlers and ticket agents look the same, act the same, and talk the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are told you don't need to know, don't want to know, and everything will be done for you without you having to know, so just shut up. The captain is considered to be a deity, and there are religious services during the flight. OS/2 Airlines To board the plane, you have your ticket stamped 10 different times by standing in 10 different lines. Then you fill out a form showing where you want to sit, and whether it should look and feel like an ocean liner, a passenger train, or a bus. If you succeed in getting on board the plane, and the plane succeeds in getting off the ground, you have a wonderful trip . . . except for times when the rudder and flaps get frozen in position, in which case you have time to say your prayers and get yourself prepared before the crash. Windows Airlines The airport terminal is nice and colorful, with friendly stewards, and easy access. Security is lax, and almost everyone has access to the plane. The plane has a colorful, if uninspiring, paint job. The takeoff is easy and uneventful, but then the plane suddenly explodes without any warning. NT Airlines Everyone marches out on the runway, says the password in unison and forms the outline of a plane. Then they all sit down and make a whooshing sound like they're flying. *Nix Airlines Everyone brings one piece of plane with them when they come to the airport. People aquire whatever parts of the plane they feel they want or need, then assemble the plane in whatever fashion they desire. They all go out on the runway and put the plane together piece by piece, arguing constantly about what kind of plane they're building. When complete, they hope it flies to their destination safely.