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Simply GNUstep Delivers UNIX, Simply
Eugenia writes "A new, Linux-based operating system released recently, called Simply GNUstep and it is based on the GNUstep architecture, originally built by NeXT (OpenSTEP) and is now also used by MacOSX (Cocoa). The alpha version of the x86-based OS is available for download and boots off the 110 MB bootable CD. The cool thing about Simply GNUstep is its partial source compatibility with MacOSX programs (further compatibility is still worked on) and its clean infrastructure, as it only includes GnuSTEP graphical applications like WindowMaker, Mail.app etc. You can read an introduction article of the OS at OSNews."
That's not meant as a flame. I'm just curious why they chose Linux instead of a BSD. I don't exactly care to follow the licensing terms behind all the different open/free software so I'm unaware if that's an issue, but using a BSD would seem to be a wiser choice being that they're "trying" to get an OS X on x86.
I dunno.
No sig for you!!
I remember trying to get GnuStep to work a few months back. The code compiled pretty cleanly, and I played around a bit with the development framework for GNUStep (which is rather cool btw, makes writing build files for apps extremely clean, and ObjectiveC is an extremely nice language).
I just wish there was a better way of integrating GNUStep, KDE, and Gnome. I really think a concerted effort by all three teams to support a common base (common component interfaces, clipboard, look&feel configuration files) would be beneficial for all involved.
GNUStep brings with it a good, tried&true development framework.
KDE & Gnome are both more evolved, with more and better applications.
Getting these to work together would be a worthwhile proposition.
-Laxitive
Back when Apple bought NeXT, I wrote a letter to Jobs suggesting that he release NeXTstep for every platform, make it open source, and become one of the standard APIs that developers use.
My point was that if he did this, and developers did adopt the platform, he'd end up with lots of apps that would run on the Mac, and would thereby neutralize the Windows API proprietary boondoggle.
He ignored my advice at the time, and this is nice, but too little too late to solve the problem of creating a true platform-independent API that developers would want to write to.
(I hate to sound like a troll here, because I don't mean to, but...)
I am getting tired of my Gnome and KDE. I am starting to long for the days when I used WindowMaker
So... simply don't use them. Remove the packages if you don't even what to support apps written for them. Install your prefered GUI/WindowManager and don't look back. Seriously. It's that easy. You don't need a "special" distro to do what you want. Just simply install / remove what you want / don't want.
That's what Linux is all about: choice
I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
Pretty unlikely. Remember, its partially *source* compatible. OS X PowerPC binaries compiled against Cocoa cannot possibly run under Linux/GNUstep on x86. Since most Mac software is distributed commercial in binary-only form its unlikely that any of it will be instantly available on linux, and even if it is, they are as likely to port it using something "standard" like Qt even if it means rewriting much of the program, than to try to get it to work with GNUStep in its present form.
And certainly software sold by Apple itself, like iTunes, is about as likely to be ported to linux as, say, Microsoft Office, GNUstep or no.
"(Man) tries to live his own life as if he were telling a story. But you have to choose: live or tell." --Sartre
What's so hard to grab some screenshots and put them up there? I've used the NeXT machines before, and have used WindowsMaker, so I know what to expect. But still, I'd like to see screenshots. And if it looks ugly, I won't even bother. And I want to see the boot up screen too.
And you can get more users to try it out too, if they can see something before they download that 110MB of data. Even at that "small size", it's still a lot, for people like me who don't have access to high speed internet.
And besides, the customizability of the KDE/Gnome environments is somewhat restricted by very complex interdependencies.
People with this holier than thou attitude really need a reality check. Why does not having a TV make you a better person? I have a TV, but I don't waste every waking minute in front of it. Still, it does me good to be in on the pop culture of our times. Without a TV I wouldn't be as much a part of US society. But if you don't want a TV, I applaud that. Just don't go hyping how awesome you are for not having a TV.
Same thing goes for you. You make this implication that the second Linux became profitable and useable by the masses of computer geeks, it became not elitist. And so when BSD reaches this point, where it becomes massively accepted and useful for many things, will you then decide it too is not elite enough for you?
Is Microsoft Windows the greatest? No. Is Linux the greatest? No. Is MacOS the greatest? No. Is BSD the greatest? No. Every single one has something about them that someone doesn't like. Personally, I'm really learning to love linux, but it's taking time. Will I tell others how I think Linux is generally better for a lot of productivity and security things? Yes. Will I try cramming it down their throats how brain-dead and worthless everything about MS Windows is? No, not unless I feel like being a real ass.
BTW, good job with making this post a subtle enough troll not to get you modded down as such. Too bad people actually modded it up.
That said, Objective-C also has many fine attributes, and has never gained the popularity it deserves. Objective-C (gcc is Apple's Obj-C compiler also) is fully compiled and has great legacy compatibility with C, both desirable attributes when compared with Java. There are other tradeoffs between the languages, but Objective-C looks like a great Java alternative in certain circumstances. It also looks like a fun 'recreational language' for side projects.
I was considering one of the new iMacs anyhow, it's good to see that much code might port to an open source setting also! :-)
299,792,458 m/s...not just a good idea, its the law!
Galileo: "The Earth revolves around the Sun!"
Score: -1 100% Flamebait
This isn't a new OS, it's a linux distroid designed to focus on and exploit GNUStep.
GNUStep isn't an OS, it's the API from NeXTSTEP.
It's supposedly really really cool to program in because Objective-C is a lot more dynamic in its design than C++. (Much less type checking = less recompilation, more rapid development, it's a lot more like working in Smalltalk or a scripting language like Ruby. So I hear from people who use Objective-C in my company.)
HOWEVER it ain't ready, GNUStep is still laying the foundations. When they're all laid, it should be possible to add a lot of very good apps very fast. (NeXT is most famous for having been something you can develop apps very well and fast in.)
This is an interesting start.
GNUStep apps should be relatively easy to port to Cocoa and vice versa, that's the extent of the connection.
All this yammering about how pretty the window decorations are is silly. It ain't about looking like candy, it's about being pleasant to use and working well.
All this stuff about "being the next BeOS" is silly too. This isn't about users... not yet. It's about developers. It isn't a new OS, it's a new programming environment and a Linux distro optimized for it.
I think you totally missed the point of this. It's not a lame attempt to make a NextStep look-alike. It is an attempt to recreate the OpenStep API for nice object oriented objective-c programming.
If you want Gtk+ apps with a NextStep theme, then use Gtk+ apps with a NextStep theme, any current linux distro can give you this.
FiGZ.COM - A waste of perfectly good web space
ACK!!'s feedback is actually important and valuable. The more people who adequately represent their own needs, the easier it is to create templates for profiling users and develop systems that fit those profiles. Yes, technically, with enough customization, 95% of distros can be made to fit 95% of the needs of 95% of the people, but relying too much on customization means that a lot of redundant work goes on (if over half the users are spending 2 hours making the same customization, wouldn't it make sense to make that customization available as a default?) and a lot of people who don't have the time to customize will go elsewhere (might not bother you, but personally I believe in network effects - the more people who use the platform I use, the more development will happen on that platform, and the more goodies I get.) Since open source development doesn't have focus groups and useability labs and market research, forums like this are frankly pretty good ways to present wishlists, complaints, and the like.
Too true. A NeXT look without the consistency or feel (no matter your skin, GTK+ apps always end up inconsistent!) is like putting lipstick on Bugs Bunny to make a beautiful woman. However, GNUsteps goal isn't just to implement the OpenStep API. It's also to create a usable set of applications that mimic the look, feel, and huge usability of the NeXT environment.
Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad