[NTLUG:Discuss] An NTLUG Distro

[Daniel Hauck]

Chris Cox さんは書きました:
> On Thu, 2009-04-02 at 10:17 -0500, Daniel Hauck wrote:
>> I just read some commentary regarding criticism and Linux.  The original
>> notion was that Linux needs more critics to keep it moving.  Another
>> person pointed out that the reason there are so many very different
>> Linux distros out there is because it is essentially "criticism applied."
>>
>> This got me to thinking.  Chris Cox is unquestionably a really smart
>> fellow with strong views on various things.  I wouldn't think to suggest
>> this if I didn't think he was smart enough to pull it off.
> 
> I'm not that "smart".  It's (Linux) just more a part of my life than for
> most.  I have thought about a distro project.
> 
> My idea is a character based distro.  I want to go back to some of
> Unix's roots and develop better tools that can be used to build
> better tools... and eventually including a graphical desktop.
> 
> What does that entail?  Well, unfortunately, it's a radical project...
> not an evolutionary one.  GNU FSF tools are great, but NOT well
> designed.  Shoot, there are even parts of the kernel that frustrate
> me, but I'm NOT a kernel expert.
> 
> I want to make something more uniform... yet still VERY Unix
> (but not necessarily messed up Linux) compatible.  Having 3,000
> command line switches is cute, but not when they don't make
> any sense.  I would preserve what is mostly portable and
> extend with frameworks that are easily extended and used to
> make bigger and better tools.
> 
> It sounds complicated, but it's really not that much.
> Sure... things might not get designed ideally the first
> time, but with a little foundation, what does get created
> could be changed without too much trouble.
> 
> Well... my vision, might not be what most people want (which
> is something that can be done quickly)... it's just a vision,
> might be too much... not sure.
> 
> 
>> What about an NTLUG Distro project?  It would naturally be more of an
>> exercise than something we could expect to actually catch on in the
>> wild.  But not only could it be used as a vehicle to express critical
>> views of other distros by addressing them, but could also serve as an
>> educational experience in rolling one's own distro.
> 
> I think a NTLUG group project would be fun... just need somebody
> (besides Chris and his crazy difficult vision) to lead.
>

I have to disagree with you Chris.  Your vision and notions indicate
more of a defined goal than any of us are likely to come up with.  The
fact that it would be very basic and text only initially makes this
rather ideal in the sense that it avoids a great deal of polarity in
terms of GUI/Desktop camp issues which we know are pretty strong and
polarizing.  And since it would be [starting out] as a quick project,
perhaps it will not suffer from lack of interest over time.

And seriously and as a matter of fact, it really does not matter, to me
at least, what the intended end-purpose or scope of the project would be
so long as it is well defined and led consistently.  I'd say your
comments bear that out nicely.  The purpose is education and experience,
and not so much the end product as a useful thing for everyone.

Heck, these days with the economy as it is, there is an increasing
interest in Linux and those who can apply it.  If all you know are "your
favorite things" it doesn't position yourself well as an experienced
expert, so this could actually improve our skillsets for those who might
be interested in being employed to work with Linux.  Knowing the ins and
outs of creating even a more simplistic distro [read "custom load"]
would be a great thing to add to one's technical summary.