Slashdot Mirror
Walking Through SkyOS 5.0 Beta
Hexydes writes "TechIMO has published the first preview of the next-generation SkyOS platform. The article includes a first-look at what users can expect in the next version of SkyOS, a review of how development has progressed from previous versions, and many screenshots." SkyOS is a free operating system for x86 systems; it looks very polished for being "mainly (99.9%) a one man project."
"With no clear advantage over other free unixes, [like Linux?] why is this hobbyOS getting so much attention? i tried a beta disc a few months back, and i didn't see anything special...i mean, a one man OS is impressive, [see Linus Torvalds] but i can't see anyone actually using it...[like everyone uses linux now?]"
Not trying to blow your argument out of the water, but do you have to immediately assume that there is no use for this because you can't find one? Gee, if nobody else uses my web portal software, why should I bother to develop and release it, too? Maybe I should just give up programming cuz nobody will ever see a use for it. I think it's great that someone can find a hobby, stick with it, and share it with everyone else.
Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
Okay, come on... there is value to other OS projects, yes, linux is the big thing, and everyone should concentrate on it, yadda, yadda...
But, if people don't do other small OS's, or even dead end crazy projects, then a lot of stuff could be missed. For example if I'm going to write an OS, then I'd have to worry about a bootloader... Now let's say I write one from scratch... Great, a total waste, as me and maybe 4 other people on the planet will ever use it... But if LILO (or whatever the latest bootloader for Linux is), would have a problem, it's quite possible that my bootloader may have a fix for it, and then the experience gained from writing my own useless OS, would pay off by being used to fix the current popular OS.
And posting about these projects on slashdot may be what is required to get enough attention that someone examines it's functionality, and discovers that the useless project has something working, that their project does not...
---
Programming is like sex... Make one mistake and support it the rest of your life.
Only if you want to stress-test your webserver. =^.^=
In all seriousness, though, it depends on the project. If it's something that you feel will go nowhere but would be useful if it went somewhere (and you feel you have the bandwidth to cope) then why not?
TiggsThe worst that can happen is that the editors will reject your article.
Tiggs
"120 chars should be enough for everyone..."
I think the question was not, why should somebody work on a one-person OS in their spare time (kudos to them), but why should it be posted on the /. frontpage? Seems reasonable to me to ask, "Why would people use it?"
Linux was once the same way. People doing stuff like this (imho) is what pushes the computing world further. There may not be a real good production use for it now, but who knows what will happen in the future. 10 years from now we might be talking about another hobby OS and asking what benefits it would offer over SkyOS? :)
The reason it gets so much attention is that people are now convinced that hobby OSs can actually become more.
Finkployd
With no clear advantage over other free unixes, why is this hobbyOS getting so much attention? i tried a beta disc a few months back, and i didn't see anything special...i mean, a one man OS is impressive, but i can't see anyone actually using it...
In the light of some dozen retarded case mod articles each year on Slashdot, this doesn't bother me at all.
Your point is valid but not a rebuttal to his statement. He is questioning why this specific OS, out of the myriad hobby systems, is getting so much attention. He is yearning for knowledge of what qualities distinguish SkyOS from the pack to the degree that it should be repeatedly highlighted on Slashdot.
He is NOT questioning why somebody would develop this. He is NOT saying there is no use. He merely wants to know what makes SkyOS special.
Maybe you should actually read posts before trying to make clever responses.
I don't mind seeing spots on SkyOS; I just wish other hobby systems were highlighted also. It reminds me of an earlier Slashdot.
Just a few little question:
If we manage to slashdot all these sites all the time:
how come /. never gets /.'d? /. running over at /. to maintain /.'s high speed at all times allowing /. readers access? /. site so the /. site must be hammered at least as much as other sites...
What the hell are
Everyone must come through the
Karem
When all is said and done, nothing changes...
The difference is that Linux was never a proprietary OS. SkyOS is a closed source proprietary OS. It's unlikely to get the support or development effort that Linux got.
Oolite: Elite-like game. For Mac, Linux and Windows
.... is the most disingenous comment in the history of /.
/. and you were not prepared for the slahsdotting? In which planet do you live? And gimme some of that stuff you are smoking.
You mean you posted something to
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
Yes, but a man that wrote a whole OS by himself must have serious trouble working in a team.
So maybe its not such a good idea hiring him :)
Adam says foo
Bob says bar
Charles says foobar
Dan says foo
75% say foo
50% say bar
Don't mindlessly add up statistics.
The Linux-view that more or less OS == kernel is not the only valid one, not even the most widely used or most useful one.
Programming can be fun again. Film at 11.
Sweet merciful crap. What is nerdier than writing your own operating system?! I mean honestly, if Lego can make the frontpage then this guy's work most assuredly should be there too.
My patience is infinite, my time is not.
I was under the impression that Linux has a large community of developers.
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
Is there a 64bit solution in development, or is this yet another project to keep our old hardware useful?
It seems to me that in the current marketplace there's more of a burden to make 64 bits useful.
For great justice.
to quote the author, he "will never" release the source code. At least with a big company like Microsoft you've got some security that they're not going to suddenly shutdown -n and disappear. But if you're planning to invest your eggs in SkyOS as anything more than a toy, you're doing so without security, much like how BeOS users had with an OS from a small company.
SkyOS is receiving tons of attention. Whereas Syllable, which is being developed openly, under the GPL, and at a faster rate, is not. And why? Maybe because SkyOS's website burns through ~35gb of screenshot bandwidth per month, or its geekcooler or something. But it isn't fair to compare this project with Linux in 1991. Linus liberalised his licence from what it was originally to make it freer for others to use for their own purposes. Whereas SkyOS was relicenced and has withdrawn source-code availability with the de facto promise to "never" release it again.
Yep. Linus has been probably the major contributer of code and design, but the simple kernel he wrote all by himself has probably long since been rewritten many times over. He certainly never got Linux as far as SkyOS has come, all by himself.
A deep unwavering belief is a sure sign you're missing something...
Chicken and the egg.
I'd say that the reason WHY Linux gained popularility was because it was an open OS and Linus was able to get support from the community. I find it hard to not open it and expect people to start contributing.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
First of all, if someone has a good time writing his own OS, that's reason enough to do it.
Second, the more free operating systems there are, the harder it will be for assholes like the SCO scum to stomp them all out.
Thirdly, more operating systems can mean more cross-fertilization, as different groups steal cool ideas from each other.
Fourth, more operating systems makes it harder for virus writers to infect everyone, as long as these systems are sufficiently different.
Fifth, this means more competition spurring os developers on to greater accomplishments.
So I say good luck and best wishes to these SkyOS guys.
Or maybe they're afraid to release the source until the OS has evolved its basic design far enough that it can't be ignored by contributors who don't understand or don't agree with it. See, Linux's success has partially been a result of its being a "Unix Like" system. One of the ideas of SkyOS was to get away from trying to make a clone. Therefore, it needs to have precedents in programming and user interface design, or else contributors will donate their own arbitrary, and possibly incongruous, designs.
In short: it is easier to create a strong system by following loose rules and methodologies than it is to create one with no rules or methodologies.
Hey freaks: now you're ju
2) I just don't see anything here to get excited about.
Um, quite. I read the review... it says, at the top, "operating system with one of the most intuitive graphical user interfaces ever. Gone are misconceptions about conformance. SkyOS serves as a reminder to GUI developers that the current status quo will only suffice for so long." This heavily implies that SkyOS has loads of new, revolutionary features, and a totally new UI from previous OSes.
So I looked at the review and screenshots. It's got a desktop, a start menu, a menu-driven settings dialog, dialogs that look virtually identical to Linux dialogs, a shell (incredible!), and some basic hardware support. And, don't tell anyone, but I think it can do anti-aliased fonts too!
The article also states that "SkyOS definitely leads the alternative scene right now." I don't wish to detract from the work the SkyOS team has apparently put in, but... leads the alternative scene for what? Nicest looking default desktop OS? Best closed-source Linux clone? There is nothing at all revolutionary about this OS, and just about anyone would be better off installing MacOS X, Linux or Windows XP.
== Jez ==
Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
Consistency, accountability, and responsibility is something that you hardly get assured of with proprietary software. On the other hand I would argue that you actually have a better chance of getting these three values with Open Source and Free software.
Let's take consistency first (yes, there is no letter 'a' in that word). What kind of assurance do you have that your proprietary software will remain consistent with your needs? All you can do is take the developer's word for it, and trust that they won't force you into upgrades that contain features you don't want or don't need, and make the software less suited for you. Not a particularly strong assurance to me, and one that I see Microsoft along with many other proprietary software vendors routinely violate. For Free/Open Source Software on the other hand, you have the source code, and the right to change it, and you have a better chance of achieving consistency with your needs by either making the changes yourself or paying someone to make them for you.
How about accountability and responsibility? Let's see... Some proprietary software vendors (e.g. Microsoft) have EULAs that totally shirk this, and actually disclaim all accountability and responsibility for their software. Strike one. Other vendors may give this to you only at great price, because their privileged access to the source gives them a de facto monopoly in this. Strike two. Even if the vendor does give you the level of accountability and responsibility you require, what assurance do you have that they will continue to provide this for as long as you need it? The vendor could go bankrupt. They could get acquired by someone that has no interest in supporting their products. They could just simply and unilaterally decide that it's no longer worth it for them to go on supporting the software you're using. You've basically tied the accountability and responsibility for your software to the fortunes and whims of its vendor. If they decide to screw you, all you can do is bend over. If they eventually get screwed themselves, then so are you. Strike three. Open Source / Free software suffers from none of these problems. Nobody has a monopoly on supporting OSS/FS, and you have a much better chance of getting the level of accountability and responsibility that you need by taking your choice of support from many possible sources. If all else fails, the fact that you have the source and the freedom to modify it for your own needs gives you the ability to provide that support yourself should it come to that.
Qu'on me donne six lignes écrites de la main du plus honnête homme, j'y trouverai de quoi le faire pendre.