There was a great image in a textbook.... but I can't remember which!
 

Hi all,

At some point in college, I saw a great diagram, and I'm trying to recall where it could have been. I just spot checked Tanenbaum's books, and a few on embedded systems, etc., but couldn't find it. I don't think I have the book anymore.

Essentially, it showed how operating system and application features evolve from larger more powerful systems to smaller, newer systems. For example, multitasking moved from mainframes to pcs to smartphones.

Does anyone have any idea what I am rambling on about, and where I might have seen this visual representation?

Many thanks,
Jameson

I doubt very much I can help you directly, but it might help your chances if you could narrow down the search space some more.

What time frame are we talking about, for one thing? Can you remember what kind of book it was in, i.e. a textbook? Can you remember anything about it; title, author, general contents, front illustration? Can you describe the diagram in more detail; color or b&w, format, any distinguishing features? In what context was it presented in the text? Etc.

In short, provide anything that might help someone match up what they've seen with what you're looking for.

Finally, I also think this post really belongs in the general forum, as it doesn't have anything directly to do with programming or Linux.