WRONGO, in your claim that 'Windows applications could do everything that DOS applications could' -- many of us businesses stay on DOS because some of the programs written in it, are still superior to anything MS or Apple can provide. Excel is horrible for actuarial calculations and auditing, so I stayed in old Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS. I can run those old programs and my templates in XP, but maybe can't run them in Win7. IBM, which sponsors Lotus now, said they 'cannot guarantee' that these programs will even run in Win7; so I just bought a Win7 machine in Dell Auction, to test it. But I won't be using that machine, except as a last resort.

Win8 is a nightmare for business. So bet that apps made by developers, will become popular (and hence profitable) if the apps restore commonality with the previous OS interface. Else, sales will be sluggish, and any profit will come only in apps written for consumer computers/tablets. I will never be in the latter category.

By contrast, Linux development might finally come into maturity. It should be justifiable to PAY for Linux applications, and either partially or wholly protect the code. Linux desperately needs priced apps to take off on consumer desktops. Since Android is so popular now, there's a potential for a unifying with Linux. Hopefully, the developers will not write code as stupidly as MS has done, instead separating touch-centric apps from desktop apps: and then sell 'bundles' to those wanting both types. The unity of the app's OWN interface would be a major plus, so you can come home and continue to run your app on your desktop. Were I a tablet user, I'd sure like such a 'bundle', which doesn't FORCE me to use my desktop as I use my tablet.