[openbeos] Helmar's final word
- From: "Helmar Rudolph" <helmar@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: openbeos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:13:00 +0200
Zenja et al,
this is my last post to the list, so enjoy it.
> but with every passing day I'm more convinced that the path
> we're taking is the correct path (and beneficial to the future
> of alternative OS's).
And who is going to market/support the alternative OS, never mind
use it? Dunno about you, but many on OpenBeOS fail to ask
themselves one crucial question: why do they do what they are
doing? IOW, why an alternative OS? For kicks? Enjoyment? To get
satisfaction out of the fact that many people are using and
recommending it? That it gets covered in the press? That it even
produces some (extra) income? Or to actually not be reliant on
Linux or Windows?
If it's the latter, then they should realize that on their own
they will achieve squat. There have to be others writing drivers,
application software, doing the marketing, opening the
communication channels, etc. Who will do that for OpenBeOS?
Again, maybe I am overreacting, but... see below.
> If Helmar/BeUnited/BeFaqs can licence the code and present a
> path which eventually leads to an OpenBeOS, then they have my
> support. I dont want to tread down a closed source path again.
Closed source is not the problem. People have shown that is is
possible to write printer drivers, device drivers, digital camera
drivers, mail daemons, and even you show what is possible with
Konqueror. The problem that BeOS had wasn't technical, and the
sooner the OpenBeOS followers get this into their heads, the
better. The problem was commercial and marketing, and no OpenBeOS
initiative will ever change that. Look no further than Linux.
Without companies throwing mega-$$ at it, it would still be a
bitch to install and use, and without mega-$$ thrown at marketing,
it would be as obscure as it once was.
If we get a licence from Palm, then we will be under several
pressures: 1) to vow (sp?) back commercial developers, 2) to vow
back hobby developers, 3) to attract attention in the press, 4)
to update it so that it becomes useable to the majority, and 5)
to create the communication channels for both users,
retailers/distros, and developers, so that they see the new BeOS.
So how much can we "open", and if we open it, how can I produce
deadlines for launches - IOW how can I get the programmers to
finish something at a specific time/date? Just like Linux? I
don't think that is going to work, unless we don't produce
launches, but seep changes into the market. The merits of that
have to be weighed against some major version changes and bigger
launches, ie R6, R7, etc.
Anyway, I think the message is clear: BeOS doesn't suffer from a
techie problem but a marketing problem, because for the majority
it is quite useable. So rather than spending time at kernel level
and trying to reinvent XXX_servers, they should spend time on
supporting more motherboards, more hardware devices, more drivers,
and also have a good look at applications too.
That said, I am getting more and more confident that Palm will
say "Yes", largely because we are making nice progress on our own
organizational side, which allows us to present a picture to Palm
that will hopefully make them say "Yes".
Lastly, IF we DO ge the licence, then _not_ to open it to the
world, but to create the right environment in which the OS can
not only survive but strive. And like it or not, for that you
need 3rd party developers, and they -like it or not- don't like
uncertainty as to when this improvement or that enhancement will
be released. This doesn't mean that some elements cannot and will
not be open-sourced, but in general the ship will run on tight
deadlines, because otherwise it won't be long before frustration
and disillusionment sets in again.
And besides, both Deskbar and Tracker are both open, and they
need MASSIVE improvements before becoming remotely acceptable as
an "alternative" desktop "environment". Why not help there?
Remember: ALTERNATIVE == EQUAL TO OTHERS, and not floating around
on the fringe somewhere. And if you all mention "fun", I think
you will agree that it's far more fun when something is
successful and acknowledged rather than obscure and disregarded
by the world. Basic psychology.
I'm off. Made my points, acknowledged what you are trying to do,
not discounting it at all, just putting it into a different
perspective.
Have a great weekend.
Helmar
Other related posts:
- » [openbeos] Helmar's final word
