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Mainstream Linux-decsent?




this is a far-out rumor, but an interesting one nonetheless. I've been
following the development and stability of Rhapsody (the NeXT-based next
OS for macs, that's basically a good stable Unix platform with a GUI that
any current not-too-savvy mac user can use). It's been exciting to hear
that the programmers are actually reusing sources from the MkLinux project
for Rhapsody (apple's MkLinux team was actualy the first to port Linux to
PowerPC: http://www.mklinux.apple.com )

now maybe "ust a few bits of code" was an understatement? the next bit is
from "MacOS Rumors" ( http://www.macosrumors.com ) and they are sometimes
end up partially correct...

Monday, February 23rd, 6:26 PM EST

OS Consolidation at Apple: will Rhapsody and
MkLinux merge?

    After weeks of sitting on top of the news, it
    finally appears that this story -- a mix of
    speculation, hope, and pieced-together
    statements made by Apple Enterprise and
    MkLinux team members -- is safe enough for
    public consumption. 

    Approximately three weeks ago, after having
    seen hints by MkLinux team members posted
    in public forums (newsgroups, web
    discussion boards, etc.) statements such as
    "The line between Rhapsody and MkLinux is
    blurring more every day," and "we've all
    been so busy working on Rhapsody," Rumors
    got in touch with its most trusted sources.
    What came back was tentative -- but
    revolutionary.

    While Rumors remains skeptical that this is
    for real, it is a very exciting possibility that
    bears fleshing out:

    Through the advanced capabilities of the
    Mach 3.0 microkernel, developers are
    reportedly working to replace much of the
    workings of Rhapsody's core OS with code
    from MkLinux. From here, this project could
    go one of two ways: a Yellow Box for
    Mklinux, which would allow graphical
    Rhapsody applications to run alongside the
    many command-line programs available for
    the most popular UNIX in the world -- Linux.

    The second possibility, while significantly
    less likely, is enticing: that rather than acting
    as a separate OS, MkLinux and Rhapsody
    would become one OS, with Linux terminals
    and even XTerms running in Rhapsody
    windows and providing the new core OS for
    Rhapsody on both the PowerPC and Intel
    platforms. Over the course of several years,
    Apple would end up with a kernel and core
    OS that could be made freely available,
    including source code -- to entice developers
    -- while keeping the graphical Yellow Box,
    with all its advanced capabilities,
    commercial....providing stable revenue for
    Apple.

    At present, the basis for this rumor is shaky;
    two parts speculation for each part fact.
    However, if this is the direction in which
    Apple is going, it could make big waves. To
    assist in ascertaining whether this is for real,
    or merely a developer's pipe dream funneled
    through the all-to-familiar "telephone" effect,
    we're putting out an all-cars. If you or anyone
    you know may have information that can help
    us form a clearer picture of the reality of this
    rumor, please take a moment to contact
    Rumors.