I could say the same for Linux with respect to "most Windows applications run well in Linux via wine".

In reality, it isn't even most of course.

The reason other apps don't compile well on other Unix systems is because a lot of people don't use other platforms and they are bad at making cross-platform code, which normally isn't hard.

uhm what?

I don't really even know where to start with your post. How about "much of what is said about it is just false"? OK, that statement is probably true, but given that your average solaris user is currently more savvy than a Win/Lin/OSX user, I have a feeling that it is less true for solaris than it is for these other OS's.

OSOL's own site lists several different distributions. There's also auroraux, which aims to have its own kernel source repository and freedom from any remaining binary bits: http://www.auroraux.org/index.php/Main_Page

A more apt comparison would be between Obama's (or some other politician) personal life and that of an actress. Now, some would argue that we still have no business in thinking about our leaders' personal lives, but I'll neglect this point. Also, I can hardly speculate whether the average politician is better than the average actor... either way, slim pickins.

At least political figures do have more of a direct effect on society, as will space exploration at some point if it continues to progress. The same is not true for actors outside of the movies - I just want good movies, and maybe the occasional biography or wikipedia entry about the actor will suffice. To sensationalize everything they do is a bit ridiculous. On the other hand, a leader who we can confirm as being hypocritical (which is usually the case) should be much more relevant to our interests ...

This is because Amazon can analyze exactly what you are doing, and may be able to tell if you are running software that isn't sanctioned. In which case they may cancel your warranty or worse. That said I'd probably try it any way, if I had the time.