Are we answering the right research questions for commercial operating systems?

There was an underlying question during both panel sessions at OSDI '94 (Operating Systems Design and Implementation Conference, November 14-17, 1994) which was never discussed: "Is the operating systems research community neglecting some major technical problems for commercial operating systems?" Operating systems are complex, costly and constantly growing more chaotic. Companies are trying to create a feasible commercial operating system for the future. This paper raises questions which must be addressed in order to allow operating systems to evolve.