Very Computer

But, that's going to need two things: a reasonably stable version of
Linux, plus CD-ROM support.  And, to make it all really whizzy, make
a read-only filesystem that can be patched.  That way, CD-ROM updates
can be made that go onto your hard disk.

But first, we need a *release* of Linux.  You know, one that doesn't
change every other day...

I'm quite receptive to the idea of paying someone to do this release.
It's hard, grungy work, unlike programming.  Now, there are probably
1,000 hard-core Linux users.  If just 50 of them put up 100 bucks,
that would easily pay a college student's summer job.

Crynwr Software            Crynwr Software sells packet driver support.
11 Grant St.               315-268-1925 Voice   [ if mail bounces, forward it ]

    Purchasing a CD-ROM drive, and a full Unix operating system would
STILL be *far* cheaper than buying a commercial Unix system, software
only!  (CD-ROM drive for around $300, CD for $50, while BSD/386 or
Solaris go for $1000...)  Better still, you get the source!  It's a
tempting, and interesting thought.

    It's my guess that a really stable release (as in, fully workable) is
*REALLY* close.  I'd recommend that they find a .98 release which is rock
stable, let it be tested for a nice long while, then release it as 1.00.

    *THEN* let the CD-ROM manufacturers do what they will.  Perhaps
someone should even write a small history of Linux!  (Hey Linus, wanna
become published?  Write a book about your experiences putting Linux
out the door!  You could compete with AST!)  (I find it really neat
that the rootdisk comes with an 'ast' account set up in /etc/passwd...
Nice touch!)

                                               --  Morgan Schweers

P.S.  If anyone knows how to set up a modem (2400, Hayes compat.) so it'll
    become a 'terminal' when I bring up my system, I'd love to know!  I'd
    like to set my system up to be a dial-in Unix system for some folks who
    want to play w/ Unix, and read news, leave mail for each other, etc.

        I agree.  The way I see it, is that *nothing* should change from the
last 0.0x.plx release to 1.00.  That way we have a system that works, with less
chance of new bugs popping in.  This also entails (to me anyhow) a standardized
set of libraries, static and shared.  Heheh, I think my Linux machine has
crashed less than my $1500 Mach386 package...  But then I'm probably easier on
the Linux...

|> someone should even write a small history of Linux!  (Hey Linus, wanna
|> become published?  Write a book about your experiences putting Linux
|> out the door!  You could compete with AST!)  (I find it really neat

        This is actually a very good idea.  If the Berkeley CSRG can do it,
why not Linus?  I'm perfectly serious when I say this.  Of course, Linus may
not feel inclined to devote the effort to writinng the book, but I think it
would have an audience.  (I know that I for one found the short history of
Linux he wrote up a while back to be very interesting)

--
Mark Holden

|>   I agree.  The way I see it, is that *nothing* should change from the
|> last 0.0x.plx release to 1.00.  That way we have a system that works, with less
|> chance of new bugs popping in.  This also entails (to me anyhow) a standardized
|> set of libraries, static and shared.  Heheh, I think my Linux machine has
|> crashed less than my $1500 Mach386 package...  But then I'm probably easier on
|> the Linux...

  Reliability is something which people value differently. I know people
who are happy with 1-2 crashes a week. The BBS I run on xenix has been
up for 314 days (since the UPS went in) and that's why I haven't
upgraded. My Dell V.4 system has NEVER paniced, in alpha, any of 5-6
beta releases, or in production form. Not that there aren't glitches in
these systems, but they don't fall dead.

  I wouldn't expect that kind of reliability from a 0.xx release, but I
think it could come if people are willing to work at it. That is, if
there is a 1.0 release, and *all* new capability is saved for 1.1 while
bug fixes become 1.0.1, etc. Unfortunately, doing this is more work that
going forward directly, and new stuff is a lot more fun to do than bug
fixes. Anyone who watches net software evolve has seen this; each new
version brings a mix of bug fixes, new features, and new bugs.
--
bill davidsen, GE Corp. R&D Center; Box 8; Schenectady NY 12345
        Paranoia is the most effective martial art!