[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
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.