The Syllable project has released a new package of Builder, the system that builds Syllable, its native applications, and ported applications. Builder can also be installed on Linux. This release matches the Syllable 0.6.4 source code. It also contains the beginnings of a branch for the upcoming Syllable Server based on the Linux kernel. Part of the documentation for Builder was just integrated in the new Syllable documentation set. The full manual is in Builder/README. Further, the development version for the next Syllable release already has a new gigabit ethernet driver, for the D-Link DL2000.
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Member since:
2005-06-30
Member since:2007-07-20
Its nice that a group of people are a totally new desktop.
From the comments in the last post I guess they think having their own kernel is important enough to warrant writing one.
The SkyOS author seemed to think having the UI mixed into the kernel made it more responsive.
Personally I would be happy to see a new 'Desktop OS' build on the linux, especially if it breaks away from X11/GTK/QT and standard unix stuff (they are all well and good in their own way but also have drawbacks from unix heritage).
All the minor OS's want better drivers so Its surprising more of them dont go this way- Even if linux is not their IDEAL kernel it would be a hell of a lot easier then writing a new one. With compile time choice of schedulers, preempt etc in Linux Im sure a configuration could be made so it dosnt totaly suck for a lightweight OS like syllable..
I quietly think that the 'Syllable Server' project may gain more traction and end up being the most popular syllable OS. - But who knows, give it some time to evolve.
PS... If people want to write new and innovative kernel, then great. But for a kernel thats not a hole lot different from existing free (and MAINTAINED) kernels.. it seems like a good way thr throw away a few years of your life 
Edited 2007-07-20 17:50
Member since:2006-03-26
I would also like to see that. If there was a well developed linux distro that had a non X based gui and just blew away all of the load of crap that is currently there (ie made a single unified clear API for programming under the operating system) I would switch to it in a heartbeat.
This is pretty much what apple did with OSX and bsd, and id say its a pretty successful trial case.
As it stands all linux distros are giant hodge podges of hacks stacked on top of hacks stacked on top of hacks to make it appear as if its user friendly at first glance. But nothing truly is.
Edited 2007-07-20 22:17
Member since:2005-07-06
Yes.
Even as a light weight OS on top of Linux, Syllable Server will still be heavier than Syllable Desktop and less suitable for general desktop use.
Member since:
2005-09-08
"Personally I would be happy to see a new 'Desktop OS' build on the linux, especially if it breaks away from X11/GTK/QT and standard unix stuff (they are all well and good in their own way but also have drawbacks from unix heritage)."
Yes! I agree - I'd like to see something without X11. Oh wait, that would be OSX?
Member since:2006-01-18
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-10-02
Member since:2005-11-14
If X11 is lightweight enough that it can be put inside LinuxBIOS, it's good enough for me.
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=linuxbios
Member since:2006-09-07
Member since:2005-11-14
Member since:2005-07-06
I'm not going to sit here and claim it can't be done, but LinuxBIOS is a pretty contrived test case. If you notice, they're using KDrive (Nee. TinyX) which is a highly stripped down X, specifically designed for this type of application, and a very lightweight window manager.
You can strip X down, but you lose most of the modern functionality in the process. If you add a modern toolkit on top of that (I.e. Qt or GTK+) you've broken straight through the 2MB barrier.
It should be possible to do a lightweight system based on a lightweight X, but no one is doing that. The obvious question to ask is "Why not?"
Member since:2007-07-20
It could be OSX, along with AROS or possibly FBDev, except that
1) OSX isnt exactly light weight
2) OSX is owned by apple, so its not a project people can become involved with.
regarding X11 being good or bad, I had a check with some of the guys in #Xorg and they dont think much of XLIB which is what you have to code in to use X11 -
(unless you use some OpenGL or GTK which intern uses XLIB)
They are working on a replacement for XLIB though that can run alongside X11.
Edited 2007-07-21 18:40
