Slashdot Mirror

Besides, GNOME 2.0 is not the end of GNOME. GNOME 2.0 is just the next major release of GNOME. There is always a chance for us to redeem our pride as programmers, hackers and architects with GNOME 3.0 and GNOME 4.0

So there will be plenty of opporunity for GNOME to have all the cool stuff that we want to see! Rather than criticize Miguel for being realistic, I say we applaud him for avoiding the mistakes (overly optimistic + feature creep) that delayed Linux 2.4, KDE 2.0, Windows 2000, Gtk 2.0, etc. Miguel is smart enough to realize that for GNOME to effectively compete with Windows and KDE, it will have to release frequently and not remain vapor-ware forever.

Check it out here: http://primates.ximian.com/~miguel/gnome-2.0/delay s.html It seems that GNOME 2.0 will aim low because of this. What a pity.

Nonsense. First of all, Outlook is more than just an email client. It not only integrates calendaring and contacts into the email client, but also allows you to schedule meetings, do things like polls over email, task lists, and project management. Outlook 10 (Outlook XP) will also have instant messaging built into it. It is quite slick.

You might think that Outlook is bloated then. You'd be wrong. All of this is done using COM components with well-defined interfaces so that integrating all of these is easy.

Evolution by Ximian is a free software alternative to Outlook and it is coming along quite nicely. It follows a lot of the same methodology: the application is built using Bonobo (the GNOME component model) components, and since the source is available, it is surprisingly easy to write your own components for Evolution. It does many of the things that Outlook does, although it doesn't (yet, anyway) integrate with MS Exchange. And Ximian, although all of their software is free, is a commerical entity and their software is of pretty high quality.

There is a ton of work involved, both coding and even more importantly in the design. The Evolution people are spread too thin as it is right now to take care of this, so it is nice to see some other developers making this a priority. It's important to keep a communication channel open between the client guys, though, so make sure you get their input on your designs!

You mean here.
--

Tell me about it... people put down RH7 because it was buggy (don't get me wrong it was) but it was also the best looking distro at the time, IMO had (and still has) the best installer, plus all those neato RH utilities like sndconfig and Xconfigurator.

With a little work to get all the updates, I've gotten my RH7 system to just about where I want it, rock stable, decently secure, and damn nice looking, hell, who needs W2K's semi slick looks when you've got ximian!

Of every distro I've ever installed RedHat always seemed to be put together the best; and you can't diss it for being more user friendly, because who says operating a computer has to be difficult?

-Gnight

Somehow, though, I just don't see it as appropriate that my desktop software is updating my OS.

I thought this was a case of the tail wagging the dog too. I've been using the Helix desktop (Oh - excuse me. Ximian Feh.), which at least integrates with apt-get to some extent.

My understanding is that RedHat's update service is a pay-for-play kind of deal. Somone better versed in their products can correct me here if I'm wrong.

What I wonder is: Why there aren't more partnerships between Helix^H^H^H^H^H Ximian and Linux distributions?

Ximian's upcoming package manager, Red Carpet looks like it will provide everything that Eazel Services and Redhat Network provide and be more flexible, as they already support nearly every major distro. The features I'm most looking forward to in Red Carpet are the channels for updates to your distribution and the unstable/ cutting-edge channel.

So why not partner with Ximian, since they will be providing the same service anyway? Is it because they haven't been making enough noise in the press lately?

Evolution Inbox screenshot

Evolution Compose message screenshot

Considering the bashing Microsoft takes around these parts, isn't it surprising that the interface here has been pretty blatantly jacked from Outlook? Now it might be the case that this really *is* the best interface style to use for an E-mail client, and that's fine. But give credit where credit is due for the design, or bash and don't bite.

Evolution Inbox screenshot

Evolution Compose message screenshot

Considering the bashing Microsoft takes around these parts, isn't it surprising that the interface here has been pretty blatantly jacked from Outlook? Now it might be the case that this really *is* the best interface style to use for an E-mail client, and that's fine. But give credit where credit is due for the design, or bash and don't bite.

I mean, even if you haven't read the FAQ, it's pretty obvious that this is yet another pun on their favourite simian theme (cf bonobo etc).

And lastly, please Taco, take some lessons in Spanish, because that line was really embarassing.
--

If I had been a bit more awake I would have said about $70 (sorry but the old Euro - dollar - IRP thing is starting to catch me out). If Sony came out with the Sony Desktop (think Helix cough cough ximian) which ran Gnome, KDE and Win32 apps all from a winalike front-end from the user perspective (hacked KDE or Gnome) the cost to them would be minimal (compared to starting from scratch / purchasing IP), the cost to the end user could be near zero (you'll pay for getting it installed and configured and some ongoing development/support which to Sony would be pennies and they would carry to have Sony plastered at least in source all over machines software/desktop, how many peoples machines scream MS at you despite the slight possibilities open to them). Hardware issues would NOT be an issue as Sony's backing would have plenty of manufacturers sending out test kit to put Tux on the box, and as we have seen with Mac, complete subjegation to win compatible hardware is not a complete must (but Linux kicks Mac ass for Hardware compatibility in my book).

I guess what I'm saying is that I do not evisage a new OS, but a windows face backed by a name people actually know (RedHat/Corel/Debian/Suse are not Coke/Levis/Nike/Sony). The Transmeta notebook may be the start (another reason to name Sony), perhaps Sony see the advantage of not having to pay anyone else a penny for software for their machines.....and saving the customer ???? I'd love to know the cost comparisons to Dell for example re their Linux V NT/2000 servers, and which costs Dell more! If they cost them the same price, why not build your internal strengths instead of assisting someone else? I guess for Sony it comes down to the likes of DVD playing..... anyone asked them if they'll write an Open Source DVD player and distribute it with a special TuxMan Mousemat (or some similarly low cost item), could it be done or could they just keep it outside US IP law and release it GPL (I doubt Sony the movie side would like that though :-(? I guess I'm also just spouting the next idea that went through my head for a true Linux convert company (SGI still aren't coming through enough for me but IBM aren't doing bad).

am i the only one asking how the hell do you pronounce that???

Assuming everyone else has read the FAQ, yes you are the only one.