A neowin linux?

[Matthew_Thepc]

:D If we did it, what programming experience would be nice to have? C, C++, .NET? someone on the first page suggested building Mono into the distro itself - that would be neat to see, and I'd totally help make the .NET apps for it. Maybe someone want to fork Linux on Github and then start working on it? How would we do it - build everything from scratch, or use some preexisting technologies (like X.Org or something) and some scratch? Again, if you guys would build Mono into it as early in the development as possible, then I'm sure a lot of people would work on software to come included (:

[Matthew_Thepc]

oh, and why no SuSE love? is it harder to customize/base new Linux off/etc. or does everyone here just hate it? :p

[threesixtyflip]

Wouldn't it be easier to ask for a channel on irc.neowin.net?

I'm PM'ing about atm to see what the best way to go about this is :)

[threesixtyflip]

A system with mono and wine as a base would be brilliant as it would give a higher level of comparability out of the box.

[n_K]

No we wouldn't be forking linux on github, that'd be to change the kernel and unless you've got a large team of master coders that are going to work on it free of charge...

Not sure about including mono out-the-box, from what I remember (might be wrong) you need to get Novell's permission to do that as they own it, but it can be installed as an extra or something?

You couldn't use SuSE as a base as it's not allowed under their terms of use.

I personally wouldn't go with anything big or clunky like ubuntu, suse, etc. but something minimalistic like slack, arch, gentoo, etc.

[threesixtyflip]

Well I have been working with Arch and find it a good system to base on. Buy you do raise some valid points n_K. Will have to look into licensing details to do with mono.

[pers3us]

oh, and why no SuSE love? is it harder to customize/base new Linux off/etc. or does everyone here just hate it? :p

No, I find SuSE an absolute bloatware! :(

Honestly whenever i have tried it, has given me headaches. So please don't consider this trolling, instead a personal choice.

+1 Arch .. I think its perfect to do what we are trying here.

Anyone thinking of LFS ;)

[threesixtyflip]

LFS could be a good idea actually. I suppose that way you would get 100% control over everything

[firey]

I'd be interested in helping out, most of my coding knowledge is in C#/VB, so if we could get mono working oob I'd feel right at home, helping write apps. However I have a very basic working knowledge of C++ so I can do very basic things if need be, or learn as I go. so if we did want to make a full set of Neowin apps.. I'd be down.

[threesixtyflip]

I had a look at licensing for Mono, well according to Wikipedia anyway, it should be okay.

Apparently the ubuntu technical team had a look and saw no real reason it couldn't be included.

Firey, any sort of experience would be beneficial really, but then again we still need to get/find a project manager first. A set of Neowin apps, does sound like an interesting idea however :D

[Matthew_Thepc]

No we wouldn't be forking linux on github, that'd be to change the kernel and unless you've got a large team of master coders that are going to work on it free of charge...

Not sure about including mono out-the-box, from what I remember (might be wrong) you need to get Novell's permission to do that as they own it, but it can be installed as an extra or something?

You couldn't use SuSE as a base as it's not allowed under their terms of use.

I personally wouldn't go with anything big or clunky like ubuntu, suse, etc. but something minimalistic like slack, arch, gentoo, etc.

thanks (:

No, I find SuSE an absolute bloatware! :(

Honestly whenever i have tried it, has given me headaches. So please don't consider this trolling, instead a personal choice.

intriguing, I've always considered openSUSE to be a nice distro of Linux...but then again idk that much about Linux distros :D

[threesixtyflip]

intriguing, I've always considered openSUSE to be a nice distro of Linux...but then again idk that much about Linux distros :D

It definitely is a nice bit of kit, but it does come with a LOT of stuff. Plus as was mentioned earlier, their ToU says its a no-no.

[pers3us]

It definitely is a nice bit of kit, but it does come with a LOT of stuff. Plus as was mentioned earlier, their ToU says its a no-no.

Stocker, Why don't you be the project manager?

LFS could be a good idea actually. I suppose that way you would get 100% control over everything

One problem I see with LFS is that we will have to do a lot more work than really is necessary. I once tried building a LFS on a virtual machine and took about a day to get it just compiled.

[threesixtyflip]

Stocker, Why don't you be the project manager?

One problem I see with LFS is that we will have to do a lot more work than really is necessary. I once tried building a LFS on a virtual machine and took about a day to get it just compiled.

Thanks :) I would be interested definitely, I just haven't a project together like this before, so don't want to be a complete and utter nooblet :D Its up to everyone else really.

And regarding the LFS compile, ha yep I've heard of it taking ages :D

[4CxbqFxVnstmA Veteran]

One problem I see with LFS is that we will have to do a lot more work than really is necessary. I once tried building a LFS on a virtual machine and took about a day to get it just compiled.

I tried LFS as well, and it is hard. But I'd like to learn it one day. It'd be cool if the project manager went that route, or used an Arch or Debian base.

[pers3us]

Thanks :) I would be interested definitely, I just haven't a project together like this before, so don't want to be a complete and utter nooblet :D Its up to everyone else really.

And regarding the LFS compile, ha yep I've heard of it taking ages :D

+1 for Stocker as project manager! :)

[sanctified Veteran]

I really REALLY don't want to be a party popper. Im totally confident that you all are capable of doing something great but consider this: Why another distro? Linux/GNU is already fragmented as it is.

Instead I think it could be more beneficial for both this project (and everyone involved with it) and the community if you develop not a distro but an app suite for Linux. Think about it. Something unique, something useful that can enhance everyone's experience, not just the couple of hobbyist that will play with this new distro. Something made in Vala or QT.

That's how Elementary OS started.

[threesixtyflip]

I really REALLY don't want to be a party popper. Im totally confident that you all are capable of doing something great but consider this: Why another distro? Linux/GNU is already fragmented as it is.

Instead I think it could be more beneficial for both this project (and everyone involved with it) and the community if you develop not a distro but an app suite for Linux. Think about it. Something unique, something useful that can enhance everyone's experience, not just the couple of hobbyist that will play with this new distro. Something made in Vala or QT.

That's how Elementary OS started.

I understand where you are coming from, but for me its just a experience in hand crafting something that can be used by other people. I would love for it to become very popular because of us having something different, but everything has to start somewhere. Its just getting the ideas together from the people that will make this project into a usable form and go from there really.

+1 for Stocker as project manager! :)

Stop it, I'm blushing :D

[pers3us]

I really REALLY don't want to be a party popper. Im totally confident that you all are capable of doing something great but consider this: Why another distro? Linux/GNU is already fragmented as it is.

Instead I think it could be more beneficial for both this project (and everyone involved with it) and the community if you develop not a distro but an app suite for Linux. Think about it. Something unique, something useful that can enhance everyone's experience, not just the couple of hobbyist that will play with this new distro. Something made in Vala or QT.

That's how Elementary OS started.

What do you have in mind!? What kind of app-suite?

[n_K]

App suite would require hardcore programmers.

And anyway, there's things that need fixing in gnome etc. that they won't bother with if you just submit an idea or patch as an individual but if a group submitted it, they'd take seriously.

LFS isn't an overly bad idea, what about distcc? Got under-utilised servers and PCs here I could cross compile with, guessing others do too so we could split up things to compile, get them compiled, package them and put them somewhere for everyone else to access?

[threesixtyflip]

App suite would require hardcore programmers.

And anyway, there's things that need fixing in gnome etc. that they won't bother with if you just submit an idea or patch as an individual but if a group submitted it, they'd take seriously.

LFS isn't an overly bad idea, what about distcc? Got under-utilised servers and PCs here I could cross compile with, guessing others do too so we could split up things to compile, get them compiled, package them and put them somewhere for everyone else to access?

App suite would require hardcore programmers.

And anyway, there's things that need fixing in gnome etc. that they won't bother with if you just submit an idea or patch as an individual but if a group submitted it, they'd take seriously.

LFS isn't an overly bad idea, what about distcc? Got under-utilised servers and PCs here I could cross compile with, guessing others do too so we could split up things to compile, get them compiled, package them and put them somewhere for everyone else to access?

distcc looks pretty good!

[pers3us]

App suite would require hardcore programmers.

And anyway, there's things that need fixing in gnome etc. that they won't bother with if you just submit an idea or patch as an individual but if a group submitted it, they'd take seriously.

LFS isn't an overly bad idea, what about distcc? Got under-utilised servers and PCs here I could cross compile with, guessing others do too so we could split up things to compile, get them compiled, package them and put them somewhere for everyone else to access?

Ok, before we start thinking about compiling, won't it be wise to figure out what needs to done so that our distro is better than others?

[threesixtyflip]

Ok, before we start thinking about compiling, won't it be wise to figure out what needs to done so that our distro is better than others?

We need to set a date and time, and get on somewhere like irc/skype/msn and smash out some details and ideas. Whens everyone free?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

LFS or Arch as a basis would be overcomplicating things. I would suggest Debian 'Wheezy' as basis - the current Testing, which has only yesterday been frozen in preparation for the release of Debian 7.0.

Use GNOME 3.4 (default in Wheezy) as basis for the UI, enhance it with extensions - or write your own. Then go from there by creating Neowin-specific branding, web-apps and maybe some native apps.

There are still enough technical issues to tackle with Debian as a basis. Setting up a repository for example, carefully choosing the default apps, figuring out licensing issues for the various components... you get the idea.

[sanctified Veteran]

What do you have in mind!? What kind of app-suite?

Just from the top of my head. With this list I'm considering what most users think Linux lack/need to be taken more seriously:

A desktop publishing suite with a easy to use GUI yet with a comprehensive set of options.

An ACTUALLY GOOD office suite.

A set of tools, add ons, patches (or code optimizations) and even new paradigms for a mainstream windows and desktop manager.

A professional looking business suite with a Sparrow like mail client, iCal like calendar, product database, etc.

A design suite with standardized GUI and controls.

All of this has already a solid open-source code base out there (Scribe, LibreOffice, GIMP, Darktable, Mozilla foundation, Matte, Cinnamon, etc) so you don't start from scratch. "All" you need is code refinement and GUI reimplementations.