Plan 9 going open source?

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: singh
YAUC (Yet Another Unix Clone)?

Not really. Plan 9 looks pretty neat. I haven't been able to try it yet though.

Speaking from a neutral standpoint, what makes it so great? (Filesystem, interface etc)


I believe you have mentioned it before, but I don't remember if you explained yourself.
 

drag

Elite Member
Jul 4, 2002
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I believe the point of Plan 9 is not be a standalone workstation or server like Unix or Windows, but be a fully functional network client OS for network services...

Kinda like novell's nds client for windows/*nix, but instead of being a tack-on to a more complex OS its the main point of it's existance.

I am not sure but the concept goes like this:

Unix is designed as a multiuser enviroment. You have a central Unix Mainframe/server, on which a multitude of terminals and X clients and stuff is added on for the Users. Everything is centralized, files/applications/cpu power etc.

Windows was designed as a single-user system were you own your computer, or you operate the same computer day in and day out. It's "your" PC. NT was there to provide a way to share information between PC's.

Plan 9 was designed for a completely networkable multiuser system. Unlike Unix, the servers are distributed and everybody gets there own computer.... I guess trying to get the best of both worlds.

but all these OS's have morphed and twisted their way to fit into the changes of technology and sociaty's needs, so I suppose the number 1 reason for plan 9 nowadays is that it is a freindly (note the rabbit with the helmet) and usefull, completely networkable, productivty driven OS that is not from Microsoft, but may be nicer to use then Unix.
 

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: singh
YAUC (Yet Another Unix Clone)?

Not really. Plan 9 looks pretty neat. I haven't been able to try it yet though.

Speaking from a neutral standpoint, what makes it so great? (Filesystem, interface etc)


I believe you have mentioned it before, but I don't remember if you explained yourself.

It has been a while since I looked into it, so I couldn't explain it right now if I tried. I will try looking back into it and writing up a little something. Basically, like VMS, its one of those OSes I haven't used.
 

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: jliechty
Hmm, interesting, but the lack of hardware and software support prevents me from trying it.

Help in those areas is one of the benefits of Open Source software.
 

Sunner

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Seems like Theo didn't like their license agreement much.

Seemed to have much of the same problems as the Postfix license.
 

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: Sunner
Seems like Theo didn't like their license agreement much.

Seemed to have much of the same problems as the Postfix license.

That is not a surprise. I haven't checked the mailing list to see if there are any new emails about the situation, but a couple of months ago he rejected it as non-free.
 

drag

Elite Member
Jul 4, 2002
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Seems to me that...

When are these developers going to learn that if they want to get widespead help to develope and be generally nice to the free software community that all they have to do is release there source code with one of the more well established open source liscences like the BSD or the GPL.

Sure its a nice offer and such and they are going to get some help for tinkerers and plan 9 fans, but if they realy want it to take off they have to allow it to at least be compatable with common liscencing scemes. You know the serious free(-dom) software guys don't work for free, you got to be willing to give up something to get something. If it isn't money its time and its code.

Oh well, I do like that bunny though. It's kinda cute. Better then the penguin or BSD deamon IMO. :p

Maybe they will learn like Sun did with star office/open office.org That project didn't take off until Sun changed the liscencing allowed the open office.org crowd control over the code and such. Now Sun has a robust commercail software they can sell, plus a very compatable open software version of Microsoft's Office suite is aviable for public consumption.
 

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: drag
Seems to me that...

When are these developers going to learn that if they want to get widespead help to develope and be generally nice to the free software community that all they have to do is release there source code with one of the more well established open source liscences like the BSD or the GPL.

Sure its a nice offer and such and they are going to get some help for tinkerers and plan 9 fans, but if they realy want it to take off they have to allow it to at least be compatable with common liscencing scemes. You know the serious free(-dom) software guys don't work for free, you got to be willing to give up something to get something. If it isn't money its time and its code.

Just to back up that statement, there has been mention of plan 9's compiler as a gcc replacement on misc@, but the license is what is keeping it a non-contender. Thankfully there is atleast 1 BSD licensed compiler out there.

Oh well, I do like that bunny though. It's kinda cute. Better then the penguin or BSD deamon IMO. :p

Puffy is still the best ;)

Maybe they will learn like Sun did with star office/open office.org That project didn't take off until Sun changed the liscencing allowed the open office.org crowd control over the code and such. Now Sun has a robust commercail software they can sell, plus a very compatable open software version of Microsoft's Office suite is aviable for public consumption.

I think Mozilla is the best example here, but OO isn't bad. I haven't really looked into that as much as others though.

Oh well, maybe the next project will turn out better. :p