What do you want in an Operating System?

[revvo]

and I think NTFS should still be the default filesystem. I don't care whether it's free and open source or not.

Why? It's a Microsoft closed-source file system. To this date, Linux may support writing to NTFS partitions, but it's all using reverse engineered it just like practically anything else when adding support to something from Microsoft. That's extra work that gives you some result than say something that's out there and will yield better results since you can work with it and you know there will always be support for it.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

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-Ability to run .exes, .rpm, .deb, idk what mac runs .dmg and .app right? (yes I know wishful thinking but thats what this is about rite?)

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.dmg files are kinda like a .zip or a .iso, they contain the apps or install packages

[Hum]

1. I'd be willing to pay a reasonable price for a good OS -- say $100.

2. OS should be as customizable as possible -- it would be nice to be able to add your own modifications.

3. Nothing should be forced on to your computer -- tell folks at each step, what browser, chat, e-mail, special programs will be installed.

4. Free of bloatware -- unneeded code. Run as fast as reasonably possible.

5. Include some compatible, EASY programming language to write your own programs.

6. Ideally it would have some sort of crash protection, and Helpful info on the crash -- not gibberish like, 0X3400000C Stop -- or similar. Tell me in plain English: "Your ____ card has a bad driver", or whatever.

7. Not rely on .dll files or a Registry. At least self-protect the Registry/Settings, if it must use one.

8. Have some sort of built in virus, trojan, spyware protection that does not slow down the PC, much.

9. You would be free to install the OS on 2 or 3 machines, without copyright/license worry.

10. Would be able to find the right drivers on the Net automatically, 99% of the time. [Even write it's own hardware driver, on-the-fly :woot: ]

11. Would not keep a bloated database of unneeded hardware codes, drivers, etc., on the PC.

12. Perhaps be self-cleaning -- get rid on needless junk, clear out Registry, do Updates, defrag, without a lot of my attention.

13. Not require 'activation' or 'WGA' verification for Updates.

^ A nice dream -- but I shant hold my breath. ;)

[simsie]

Support for Wireless out of the box. Something Linux lacks. It's improving but I still have to ndiswrapper -i in Ubuntu. Also can't install Debian on my laptop because the installer has no wireless and I am not patient enough to download all the CDs.

The concept of UAC just well implimented. This includes Vista's knowing when to elevate an installer etc.

Have a decent application installer system, so the OS can remove all traces rather than relying on bad uninstallers.

Take the principle of nLite. By all means bundle loads of different apps on the CD but have an advanced/custom mode where we can choose our web browser etc etc.

[Borbus]

Support for Wireless out of the box. Something Linux lacks. It's improving but I still have to ndiswrapper -i in Ubuntu. Also can't install Debian on my laptop because the installer has no wireless and I am not patient enough to download all the CDs.

Well you should do your research before you buy hardware. Don't support hardware that doesn't provide drivers for your choice of OS.

Have a decent application installer system, so the OS can remove all traces rather than relying on bad uninstallers.

Package management systems can do this already.

Take the principle of nLite. By all means bundle loads of different apps on the CD but have an advanced/custom mode where we can choose our web browser etc etc.

Can already do this with free operating systems easily.

[simsie]

1. Well you should do your research before you buy hardware. Don't support hardware that doesn't provide drivers for your choice of OS.

2. Package management systems can do this already.

Can already do this with free operating systems easily.

1. ndiswrapper works fine, it'd just be nice if there were friendly wizards, like the one in PCLOS. As I'm starting to take an interest in Linux I am checking a lot more now.

2. Package managers are good at what they do. The only issue is sometimes it takes a while for the distro to update the repositories after the software updates.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

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I don't think the APNG thing is anything do with Debian "being stupid". Mozilla patched libpng to support APNG but libpng won't include the patch in their build for some reason... and Debian won't patch libpng themselves... Of course there is nothing stopping you downloading the source for Iceweaseal and libpng, patching libpng yourself and building against the patched libpng... just a lot more hassle.

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About this, here's a quote from http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=486209

"Unless APNG is endorsed by upstream libpng, it's not going to happen."

Edit: about wireless support, Linux already has great support for wireless connections, but it has bad support for unsupported hardware (which is the fault of the people making the hardware)