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Deciding On The Future of Linux

Posted by Hemos on from the where-oh-where-shall-the-future-go dept.

A reader writes: The Free Standards Group has posted a request for feedback, now that they have completed LSB 1.2 and li18nux is also finished. Where should they/we go next? "

3 of 322 comments (clear)

  1. Drivers... by }InFuZeD{ · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's all about drivers and compatibility with those gadgets...

    For example, the reason I'm running Windows now is because I can't get my darn Palm m515 to work in Linux, and I don't even know where to start looking for help with my Minidisc Player...

    So it's all about compatibility with those gadgets in my book :)

  2. I just put in my big 2... by trims · · Score: 5, Interesting

    which are:

    Unified System Documentation I want all docs in a single, standard format that all programs must write their basic documentation in. No more man, info, html, pdf, ps or whatnot. I'd prefer a fixed SGML DTD (docbook is OK, but I'd prefer a designed-from scratch one specifically to address the system documentation target). That way, we can can get good viewer independence with modern features (hyperlinks, fonts, in-line graphics). All of the current formats are lacking in at least two areas, and we don't have agreement on which to use. This is a big place for them to step up.

    Standard Config Files No, this is not a request for a Registry (the merits thereof are for another discussion). What we want here is to get rid of the 80 billion different ways to write a config file. I'm sorry, but they all should be a nicely tagged XML (or similar) file nowdays. It sucks to have to figure out the idiosyncrasies of the various config files. This issue isn't simple, but is definitely a place where a good discussion is needed.

    -Erik

    --
    There are always four sides to every story: your side, their side, the truth, and what really happened.
  3. Is there anything big still missing? by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Most of the comments seem to be along the line of "Who the hell do they think they are". These comments are crap as the posters obviously have not read the post. They do not claim nor have ever claimed to own a particulair piece of software. They are just intrested in creating some sort of standard. If you like youre linux to not conform to that standard then that is just fine. Just as ANSI is not a law neither is neither is the LSB. For the rest of us it makes it easier to exchange between the different flavors of linux if all the files are in roughly the same place.

    Others seem to want to turn linux into windows. If only (mime support/windows like shell/c:\Program Files like dir structure) was finally included I would start using it. Yeah right like anyone cares. I think that with the burst of the internet bubble the idea that linux should go to the masses has been left behind. If you saw the interview with Linus himself on the BBC you will have heard that he does noet even wish to compete with windows. MS has its market and linux has its own. That is real freedom of choice people. Those people that want linux to become like windows just want a gratis (not free) version of windows.

    The FSG is a standards group, I presume therefore that their question is on what if anything needs standarization next. Standarization is not the enemy of freedom when standarizing on it does not put a brake on innovation. A standard desktop for instance would limit innovation and therefore choice. A standard directory layout does not unless I missed some special signifigance in keeping youre logs in /.[sic]

    So what needs standarizing next? I have no idea. Software creators now are reasonably sure where to install the bits of their software and how they can achieve multi language support. Printing is also ridicously easy (could be because I only have access to HP printers). Is anything more needed, almost certainly, let the creators figure this out and not disturb them with a dozen wish lists by windows users who will never switch over because it will always be hard to switch to something wich is different. If it wasn't different then what would be the point of switching at all.

    Use linux not because someone tells you to. Use linux not because you want to stick it to Gates. Use linux not because you want to be l33t.

    Use linux because you like it strenghts and can forgive its weaknesses.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.