Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 5th May 2008 17:12 UTC, submitted by Dale Smoker
OpenSolaris 2008.5, the new distribution based on the OpenSolaris operating system, has been released into the wild. This release follows the conventions set by many of the popular Linux distributions, such as being based on a single live CD with installer, but also adds a load of OpenSolaris-specific features such as ZFS, DTrace, Containers, and a new package management system, IPS. OpenSolaris 2008.5 is the fruit of Project Indiana.
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Member since:2006-07-16
The real problems with Solaris you mean? I'd say that the main real problems are likely to be: (1) significantly less hardware drivers supported, and (2) much smaller number of applications available to install via repositories, and (3) far less help to be had via user communities.
With five pages of whining about a damn backspace key and users attacking each others massive egos tit for tat I'd say that there isn't a lot to entice new users to the *NIX community anyway, at least not if you go by what you read on OSnews.
Back on topic, I think OpenSolaris has offered a great new foray into the alternative desktop market with this new OS, however small that may be. With easy to install live-CD, killer features like ZFS and snapshots, OpenSolaris has every bit as much to offer as other OSs. Maybe its package repository isn't as brimming as Debian's or Gentoo's and maybe it doesn't have the latest driver for every esoteric piece of hardware available...yet but for a first attempt its not bad. What I see is a powerful, professional desktop or server OS that's ready for use today. This will be an interesting OS to watch and as the number of Linux distributions keep expanding (and diverging) and Microsoft keepsj up its unrelenting FUD assault, BSD and other Unix workalikes like OpenSolaris may become more attractive alternatives in the long run.
Member since:2005-07-07
Not any more. Just install the latest gnash ... works pretty well on Ubuntu Hardy Heron, and it is GNU software, available via the standard repositories.
How would a new linux user know what gnash is and why that is needed to play Adobe flash?
I haven't used linux in a few years and I certainly don't know that.
The EEEPC and its various competitors will see over 10 million new pre-installed desktop Linux systems being sold this year, in an entirely new category of machine that Intel have called "netbooks" and Microsoft have dubbed "ULCPCs".
This is Linux just starting to compete in the space as well. This is the very first time that Linux and Windows have been for sale to the general public (i.e. pre-installed) on the same machine, and so comparable side-by-side by avearge users in a standard computer store. The Windows variant is the same price but has 8GB less memory and it has no software other than the bare OS. By the time you have added proprietary Windows applications and ant-virus etc for the Windows machine, you have doubled the price, you still have 40% less storage, and you have made your machine run much slower. Lets take a look at market share after this message has begun to get through to people.
Every year is apparently the year linux takes over the desktop and has been for the past 5 years. But so far nothing has happened. Yet every year linux proponents announce it religiously. The problem is linux users have blinders on and their everything OSS/GPL attitude is what is hampering that progress.
Ubuntu is making great progress is no where near as good as MacOS X or windows in terms of user experience.
I think more people will still pick the windows variants because in most asian countries people don't buy software they just get it if you know what I mean. That's where the growth is in the future and I doubt
linux is going to dominate. Linux does well on appliances or devices like routers or phones where the UI is different enough from desktops to not matter.
When my non-tech friends tell me they just bought this laptop running linux and how cool it is and how cheap it was I'll accept that linux has some game to bring to town. That day hasn't come yet.
Make no mistake my opinions for OpenSolaris are the same. The computing paradigm will change before anything non microsoft or Apple becomes dominant on the desktop. By the time they do desktops will not be the primary mode of computing in a home.
The real problems with Solaris you mean? I'd say that the main real problems are likely to be: (1) significantly less hardware drivers supported, and (2) much smaller number of applications available to install via repositories, and (3) far less help to be had via user communities.
Pretty much any App written for Linux can be compiled for Solaris. I don't think Apps are a problem.
Hardware support is not a problem because unlike linux, OpenSolaris doesn't have a school boy infatuation with GPL non binary drivers. Once OpenSolaris has gotten enough mindshare expect binary drivers to show up.
Edited 2008-05-06 16:02 UTC
Member since:2007-02-17
" Not any more. Just install the latest gnash ... works pretty well on Ubuntu Hardy Heron, and it is GNU software, available via the standard repositories.
How would a new linux user know what gnash is and why that is needed to play Adobe flash? I haven't used linux in a few years and I certainly don't know that. " If you try to open a page with flash on it, Firefox on Hardy Heron will tell you about missing plugins, and offer you a button to install required software.
Click that button and it offers you three choices: Adobe, Gnash and Swfdec.
The Adobe one will work with YouTube for Video, but you cannot get sound because of a conflict with PulseAudio. Swfdec doesn't work with YouTube AFAIK. Gnash is the only option that actually works.
You can install Gnash from Firefox (by selecting it as one of the three options offered) without even having to know about package managers.
Anyone curious to know about what they are offered, then when one types "gnash" in the google search bar in firefox, the very first hit leads you to this page:
http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash/
... which says this:
"Streaming Video
Gnash supports the viewing of streaming video from popular video sharing sites like Lulu.tv or YouTube.com."
" The EEEPC and its various competitors will see over 10 million new pre-installed desktop Linux systems being sold this year, in an entirely new category of machine that Intel have called "netbooks" and Microsoft have dubbed "ULCPCs". This is Linux just starting to compete in the space as well. This is the very first time that Linux and Windows have been for sale to the general public (i.e. pre-installed) on the same machine, and so comparable side-by-side by avearge users in a standard computer store. The Windows variant is the same price but has 8GB less memory and it has no software other than the bare OS. By the time you have added proprietary Windows applications and ant-virus etc for the Windows machine, you have doubled the price, you still have 40% less storage, and you have made your machine run much slower. Lets take a look at market share after this message has begun to get through to people.
Every year is apparently the year linux takes over the desktop and has been for the past 5 years. But so far nothing has happened. Yet every year linux proponents announce it religiously. The problem is linux users have blinders on and their everything OSS/GPL attitude is what is hampering that progress. Ubuntu is making great progress is no where near as good as MacOS X or windows in terms of user experience. I think more people will still pick the windows variants because in most asian countries people don't buy software they just get it if you know what I mean. That's where the growth is in the future and I doubt linux is going to dominate. Linux does well on appliances or devices like routers or phones where the UI is different enough from desktops to not matter. When my non-tech friends tell me they just bought this laptop running linux and how cool it is and how cheap it was I'll accept that linux has some game to bring to town. That day hasn't come yet. " Of course it hasn't come yet. Linux is only just now appearing for the very first time alongside Windows on the same machine in computer stores as an option for consumers to buy off the shelves. This is a sterling compliment to the level of lock-in that Microsoft has been able to coerce on to the OEM market.
Make no mistake my opinions for OpenSolaris are the same. The computing paradigm will change before anything non microsoft or Apple becomes dominant on the desktop. By the time they do desktops will not be the primary mode of computing in a home.
Not yet for Solaris. With this announcement, Solaris has only just got to the position that Linux was in about five years ago ... if motivated to do so you can download it, try it out on your hardware with a LiveCD, and perhaps install it ... you have to do all the work for yourself, however.
" The real problems with Solaris you mean? I'd say that the main real problems are likely to be: (1) significantly less hardware drivers supported, and (2) much smaller number of applications available to install via repositories, and (3) far less help to be had via user communities.
Pretty much any App written for Linux can be compiled for Solaris. I don't think Apps are a problem. Hardware support is not a problem because unlike linux, OpenSolaris doesn't have a school boy infatuation with GPL non binary drivers. Once OpenSolaris has gotten enough mindshare expect binary drivers to show up. " Meh.
There are approximately 1.5 million open-source developers. I'd estimate that: Linux has about 90% mindshare amongst that population; GPL has about 70% mindshare; Solaris is nowhere ... an immeasurable amount ... amongst that population.
Don't hold your breath.
Edited 2008-05-07 00:46 UTC
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Member since:
2007-02-17
Linux user who can do this might do it ... and so they have choice. Linux users who are unable to do this don't do it, and so for them too it is not an issue in any way.
Also not an issue. Never once have I had to do any of this in years of Linux use.
Not any more. Just install the latest gnash ... works pretty well on Ubuntu Hardy Heron, and it is GNU software, available via the standard repositories.
Solaris has just started to compete in the space. When Linux takes over MacOS X's or windows' market share come see me. "
The EEEPC and its various competitors will see over 10 million new pre-installed desktop Linux systems being sold this year, in an entirely new category of machine that Intel have called "netbooks" and Microsoft have dubbed "ULCPCs".
This is Linux just starting to compete in the space as well. This is the very first time that Linux and Windows have been for sale to the general public (i.e. pre-installed) on the same machine, and so comparable side-by-side by avearge users in a standard computer store. The Windows variant is the same price but has 8GB less memory and it has no software other than the bare OS. By the time you have added proprietary Windows applications and ant-virus etc for the Windows machine, you have doubled the price, you still have 40% less storage, and you have made your machine run much slower. Lets take a look at market share after this message has begun to get through to people.
The real problems with Solaris you mean? I'd say that the main real problems are likely to be: (1) significantly less hardware drivers supported, and (2) much smaller number of applications available to install via repositories, and (3) far less help to be had via user communities.