[nostrademons]

I've wondered sometimes what software would look like if a crisis took out the ability to build new semiconductors and we had to run all our computing infrastructure on chips salvaged from pregnancy tests, shoplifting tags, cars, old PCs, and other consumer electronics. We'd basically move backwards about 20 years in process technology, and most computers would have speeds roughly equivalent to 90s/00s PCs.

But then, this still wouldn't incentivize building directly to the hardware, because of the need to run on a large variety of different hardware. You're still better off preferencing portability over performance, and then making it up by cutting scope and ease of development.

[wat10000]

You might enjoy Dusk OS and its more extreme subling Collapse OS: https://duskos.org https://collapseos.org

[Fabricio20]

Funny you say this... This exact thought experiment was going on last month! Laurie Wired [0] a cybersec youtuber asked it on twitter and got some interesting replies too!

[0]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2OJFqs8bUk

[nyarlathotep_]

> I've wondered sometimes what software would look like if a crisis took out the ability to build new semiconductors and we had to run all our computing infrastructure on chips salvaged from pregnancy tests, shoplifting tags, cars, old PCs, and other consumer electronics. We'd basically move backwards about 20 years in process technology, and most computers would have speeds roughly equivalent to 90s/00s PCs.

Don't forget disposable vapes: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45252817

[brailsafe]

This sounds kind of similar to what I've heard about Cuba's relationship with cars and probably technology after the U.S embargo. Not sure how true it was/is though.

[jacquesm]

Be careful what you wish for...