OS X is not vapor. (Score 1)

I agree (how can I not) that Mac OS X Server is a server OS, poised to rival NT...but it is also (unofficially) intended as an early-adopter version (which it is) of Mac OS X. It has all the tools necessary for a server OS but lacks the polish and coherency that is needed for it to truly be a next-gen Mac OS sucessor, one that _everyone_ can use. That is why I denote it a "rough cut"...it's a preview of what's to come.

As for the Mach microkernel...the latest reports (ahem, rumors) indicate that the final Mac OS X kernel will be a hybrid of Mach 2.5, 3, and 4 as well as a little of Apple's NuKernel (from the Copland days) thrown in. This kernel should definately improve on the speed of the OS over Mac OS X Server. The final Mac OS X will NOT be "wimpy" by any means, rest assured. As for the viability of the microkernel achitecture vs. a monolithic kernel... I have read that the microkernel architecture is inherently better in networking related tasks (web serving, etc.) due to the fact that network services can communicate directly with the microkernel, a more efficient route.

Baz