[raybbr]

So why are power plant control systems using Windows? That would seem like a perfect application for Linux, you wouldn’t even need a GUI.

Because Windows is used for just about everything else and has open sourced the code to control systems manufacturers so the can sell more Windows. Also, 95% of the power plant workers understand and recognize Windows.

It's all about marketing.

[antiRepublicrat]

I remember a while back when switching from UNIX to Windows caused some serious problems for air traffic control.

[dayglored]

> Because Windows is used for just about everything else and has open sourced the code to control systems manufacturers so the can sell more Windows.

Microsoft has not "open-sourced the code" of Windows to anyone, anywhere. Windows is proprietary. Open source means it is not only publicly readable, but also, anyone may modify it.

I think you must mean, "made the code available under Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)". Yes?

The distinction is huge, and profound. Proprietary code, under NDA, is the opposite of open source.