Re: objective of hurd

[Richard Braun]

On Fri, Nov 17, 2006 at 12:11:37PM +0300, brian muhumuza wrote:
> As a time-time tester of GNUHurd, i'm curious about the objectives of Hurd.
> I know it's said to be a replacement for Unix/Linux/BSD but I think pitching
> Hurd against these three will not work out IMHO.
> Hurd to me feels like a great system for desktop use. I'm suggesting that
> Hurd is pitched as "The Greatest Unix-like desktop" coz i believe it has
> even greater pottential than OSX. This way, Hurd doesn't threaten
> Unix/Linux/BSD and will attract more users/Dev's. Say, if you want a server
> go for Linux/BSD; If you want a desktop go for Hurd.

No, I strongly disagree with this approach. A well designed system like
the Hurd should be usable as a workstation, server, gaming machine, and
to some extent, I would even see it run as an embedded system, etc...
The Hurd should not be seen as an opponent to Linux, BSD, or others. It's
an alternative. It is not against other systems, it is one of them, next
to them. If you want to attract users, you need a working system. Thus,
you need to attract developers, and I don't think a "desktop system"
would fit. Developers are usually attracted by its design, its
interfaces, its properties. I don't think specializing such an operating
system is relevant in the current context.

-- 
Richard Braun

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