[NTLUG:Discuss] An NTLUG Distro

[Daniel Hauck]

Chris Cox さんは書きました:
> On Thu, 2009-04-02 at 15:04 -0500, Daniel Hauck wrote:
>> Chris Cox ������������������������:
> ...
>>> 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).


That actually sounds pretty awesome.  I have two Compaq IA-1 devices. 
They are similar to the iOpener devices that were popular with linux 
hackers some years ago.  They have very little ram and primary storage 
but the Midori linux load created for them worked pretty well. 
Unfortunately, I lack the skills and knowledge needed to attempt to 
create a more modern load for these things.  Your idea would be perfect 
for these things.

And you're right about the Microsoft thing.  I hadn't really looked at 
it that way before though.  I was already very established in Windows 
3.1 world but at the same time very excited by Windows95.  (Those were 
the days when I just started scratching the surface with Linux) 
Microsoft did it in an attempt to seem as solid as MacOS8 and MacOS9 I 
am sure.