4:24 PM - (no subject)
Rough day at work. New computers.. moving 5 pcs down 3 flights.. sucked.
More bs tomorrow too.
In case you hadn't noticed, I've got Just Journal on Source Forge now.. check it out. project name: justjournal or Just Journal ("unix name" vs name)
I'm working on a new version.. it should kick ass.
Also, my other project has been stalled a little. Its going to happen.. its just a matter of time! Here's a hint.. its an Operating System. UNIX based but with a gui for everything. Of course there will be a command line interface since I prefer it personally. I'm going for a NeXTish look for now with a fruit company evolution with some improvements. :)
I've actually been hacking on a login manager for it and trying to decide on a base Window Manager for X11. I decided not to use Gnome or KDE since there are like 20,000 linux/unix distros already using them. The software will be open source with BSD and GNU GPL code included. I've already got a name picked out but i'm keeping that secret till i can afford the domain name. (it is open) I've been toying with windowmaker but its not easy enough to use and doesn't go far enough in the UI. I've got some source for an unfinished WM that has some impressive specs.. and i even like the language its written in. If i can't do anything with it, i'll probably fork windowmaker or afterstep.. i'd rather not though.
I know.. you're probably thinking.. why another os? Why all the work? Why do you think you can even do it? All good questions.. some i can't answer. The first one I can though. Windows and Mac OS X are both decent end user operating systems. Unfortunetely, they are not cheap. Windows is quite expensive and Mac OS X has the hardware price curve.. sure macs are great but not everyone can afford them! Take my friend rob.. he seems a little interested in macs but he's never had the $$$ to buy a nice new mac. Rob actually is my inspiration for this project, although I doubt he knows what i'm talking about.
Phase 1: Develop a free desktop bsd. (Desktop BSD is actually the name of an os.. i wanted the domain but some germans beat me to it a few months earlier) This has been done, and its even following my original plan. I almost considered just working on that actually.
Phase 2: Include services that are centrally managed including HTTPD, File Sharing, Firewall. The central management is the key.. only one OS besides Windows Server even tries to do this.. OS X servrer. I want the ease of OSX server/client to turn on and off services and configure the firewall. This involves writing a management daemon and database similar to netinfo or novell netware combined..
Phase 3: Develop a server version to go with the client and integrate central management for workstations. Again.. copying netware but making it work. All free.
Why would i want to do this? Well why not.. open source people make money in other ways if they have success.. books, speaking engagements, donations, etc. And if i fail, i still learned a lot.
Target platform:
ia-32 pcs (Intel/AMD 32bit processors)
(586 or higher, might be 686 p3,p4, althelons)
Eventually 64bit ia-64 and MAYBE G4/G5 PPC.
Kernel: Hmm.. not sure on this one. I've got 3 choices.. and one is not done. GNU/Linux, FreeBSD kernel or GNU/Mach GNU/HURD. All three have their pros. If GNU/HURD project was farther along... seriously i'm still debating this. I'll most likely go with a freebsd kernel since everyone likes linux.. plus apple's using its network stack.
Why did i say rob influenced this project? I've been thinking about system administration and how rob liked IRIX on old SGI's. Apple's proven the world wants a user friendly unix and people love netware & microsoft administration features (ADS, etc). Why not combine them?
The real bitch is getting help with this project. Caryn's not into it at all.. i understand that. I need people to help me with the site, documentation, programming, testing, ideas, etc.