Hi;
First let me identify myself as a non Solaris User as of right now. I have
for the last 5-6 years been experimenting in Linux, installing many versions
from many different distributions. To this day I have yet to master the command
line sufficient to be able to do very much. I have installed some jar, tar.gz,
& some sh run. apt-get & rpm based programs. I can move in and out of root.
change directories, init to different run levels and buld Nvidia Drivers using
their Program. Thats about it. Now to my point. I spent 3 hours trying to get
Solaris 10 into a single ISO image from the 5 different segments. My problem is
at least two fold one the first immage was downloaded and unziped and goes into
a text format. Not sure if it should but, when I open it un konqueror I see the
same image that I expect as it is identical to the other 4 with the exception
of the "a" designation. Without this being a hobby and interesting to me I
wouldn't give it the time of day. There are very brief instructions for doing
the concatonating in Windows and Unix. No instructions for Linux I assumed they
would be the same as Unix.
Anyway I made the above statement to say that I'm although not very
well versed I am certainly not totally clueless and I found getting into
Solaris so far near immpossible. Which brings me to one of the Unix/Linux type
difficulties. When the Read Me files are created the istructions inevitably are
written with idea of whoever is reding them knows certain basics. The level of
detail that would be required to bring the novice to the point of actually
being able to install the given application is minimal but increadibly crucial.
I read your statement of Solaris Installation startegy. I also read the
first posters comments, then I noticed I would be here all day if I were to try
and get through them all. I don't agree that an operating system should be
written tword the "Hi IQ" clientel. I do agree that Linux/Unix type people are
unique but not because they have some purported Intelligence Quocient. The vast
majority of Operating Systems as a whole have basic requirements. That Linux is
beggining to fill and Windows is filling. As you stated in your assessment EASE
OF USE. Linux has both ease of use and Command line for those who prize their
intellect and can remember enough to brag. I and I believe most people looking
for an alternative to Windows have particular reasons for wanting out of the
Windows Scene. 1. Past bad experience. 2. Constant security issues. 3. The
availability to use the Open Source Software without having to pay for a
licence that can only be used in one computer. (I have 4)
The Biggest thing keeping people with Windows is Ease Of Use. Anything you
install designed for a Windows flavor works in it. People are relatively
comfortable with it's dependability and it is still more functional than any
Operating System That I'm aware of. Including and especially Solaris based on
your own assesment. Anything I want to do with the exception of using the Open
source Software can be done in Windows Period, no questions asked. And I as a
"Possibly Low IQ individual can do it" That is the atraction of Windows.
My Sugestions 1. Aim Higher, Your aiming to be as good as linux, NOT GOOD
ENOUGH. Linux although is very good now is not where it needs to be to give
Window much to worry about yet. I was atracted to Solaris because of the add on
the Sun Page about how good it was. Now that I have read your paper I think
I'll wait about 5 years. Your aiming for a known at this time. Your paper
suggests very little in the area of ingenuity. Solaris has a number of world
records 57 +- Solaris has the ability to offline items that are going bad
before they effect the total sceme of things. Very original. 2. One aiming
point might be to create or port software through a tool that could do a scan
of the written in language, a scan of the individuals computer hardware and
make it happen for not only Solaris but the multiboot systems OSes as well Lets
face it JAVA is on just about everything Java is cross platform Sun Knows
Windows, Linux, Unix, Apple all of wich have thier roots in UNIX. 3. Make sure
that everything works. I'ts very hard to find a Linux version that all of the
installable software for that sytem will even function. 4. Instead of backing
off from the idea of a single drive running multiple desktops expand on it make
it easy. I have a total of 8 hard drives one for both Operating Systems on 4
computers. I have recently been thinking of putting the Operating systems on a
single drive and accessing them externally from the computer via a network. 5.
Utilize in a legal way the know and available absolutes such as drivers for
anyting I have ever purchsed. 6. Their almost none of the linux stystems now
that cannot automatically detect my network and at least get me on line
immediately get me on line. By your own admission yours cannot. (No Excuse) if
you want to be what I believe you can be based on the soundness of Sun This
should be a no brainer. 7. Stop with the grandure of your Solaris system for
now. I'm sure it's great for the server/Corporate community but right now its
near useless for me. If I tried to install your system with all the problems
you mention in your article I would do with it what I have many other Linux
stystem I would pull the disk out of my drive and throw it away. 7 Aim for more
users. Linux is not aiming just for the server market. Their aiming at
everyone. You need to do this if you want to get where I think you want to. I
and probably millions have just been chomping at the bit for someone to be able
to honestly compete against WIndow some are doing OK but they cannot compete in
the gaming market one of their biggest downfalls in fact just about their only
one, with the exception of not ensuring that all the packages will work. Based
on your own assesment Your not even remotely in the game. I say this not as a
mean thing but as one crying in the OS wilderness just hoping that someone will
really compete against Windows. I like Sun They have been producing sound cross
platform software that easily competes with Window and I'm really hoping that
these tallents will bring them to dominace instead of Just an adequate OS. We
have enough of them. And Window is not just going to sit still and let their
market share dwindle without a fight. I'm willing to bet they are going to be
creative, and they are going to copy as many ideas as they can Sun Should fight
like they mean it. Like and with the sort of file system that out paces out
produces anything in the world. If you can do that, the rest with cooperation
in the Open Source Community is within reach.
Thanks;
Andrew
This message posted from opensolaris.org
