[NTLUG:Discuss] An NTLUG Distro

[Chris Cox]

On Thu, 2009-04-02 at 15:04 -0500, Daniel Hauck wrote:
> Chris Cox さんは書きました:
...
> > My idea is a character based distro.  I want to go back to some of
> > Unix's roots and develop better tools that can be used to build
> > better tools... and eventually including a graphical desktop.
> > 
> > What does that entail?  Well, unfortunately, it's a radical project...
> > not an evolutionary one.  GNU FSF tools are great, but NOT well
> > designed.  Shoot, there are even parts of the kernel that frustrate
> > me, but I'm NOT a kernel expert.
> > 
> > I want to make something more uniform... yet still VERY Unix
> > (but not necessarily messed up Linux) compatible.  Having 3,000
> > command line switches is cute, but not when they don't make
> > any sense.  I would preserve what is mostly portable and
> > extend with frameworks that are easily extended and used to
> > make bigger and better tools
...
> > I think a NTLUG group project would be fun... just need somebody
> > (besides Chris and his crazy difficult vision) to lead.
> >
> 
> I have to disagree with you Chris.  Your vision and notions indicate
> more of a defined goal than any of us are likely to come up with. 

Ok... Here's the idea.  All tools need to output something that
is parseable (without needing an extreme parser).

Also, with the advent of applicances, my goal would be to create
lightweight tools where a nice looking, but not intricate,
primitive GUI could be layered (think framebuffer/VGA, not X
Windows) on top.

For example... a Linux media player platform.

Because the tools themselves would allow the building of
such a thing, the GUI is just a veneer... 

Why?  Look at things like rockbox.  It's pretty much the same
idea.  Rockbox's UI is just a veneer around something very
very plain... the UI just needs a good graphics artist.
Keep the interface simple and clean.

Other apps should work this way as well... from mail clients
to web browsers (there are days I wan't to kick the Mozilla
guys in the shin).

It's possible that I'd start with a event driven shell of
some kind (like an X Windows desktop of sorts)... not sure...
but not necessarily a requirement.

People want things that work... and want things that look
pretty (or impressive).  I'd like to avoid complexity at
first.

Remember the world was strangely happy with Windows 3.1
until Linux came along (well.. until Microsoft FORCED
everyone to buy new machines with Win95).