The following is for computer geeks and/or Apple wonks.

Slashdot ran a story noting that Mono, the open-source project dedicated to creating a .Net framwork for Linux, just opened up its first beta release. What's even more interesting is Mono works with OSX (question 117).

So what? Well, if Mono succeeds in creating a code-portable implementation of .Net, then programs written for that architecture will function no matter what OS happens to be running. Microsoft is busily re-writing all sorts of code for the C#/CIT environment, and most ISVs have already swallowed the "blue pill" of .Net. In short, by adopting a Unix core Apple may have just hit a bank-shot that gaurantees itself "free" windows compatability on a scale undreamed of before.

Of course, all this will be happening in spite of Microsoft, not because of it. It all could easily be as much of a pipe dream as Java portability was back in '96. But still, fun to think about.

And no Damion, I'm still not buying a Mac. I just enjoy seeing cool technology getting a back-door advantage.