Web Linux - Linux live on the web!

[darkrose0510]

An idea I had a while ago, was to make a website which basically is a Linux desktop; so that new users could take a look at Linux without downloading anything... the first attempt was awful.

The latest attempt is somewhat better; probably because it actually is based on a real Linux system. After much work I have created in javascript:
grub boot loader
kernel
init
getty
shell
filesystem
and a few other bits and bobs to make it somewhat usable, resulting in a basic web based linux-like system that boots to a command line... I'm working on an Xserver and associated gui libraries to enable a desktop.

So please have a look, give opinions, ideas, etc...
Web Linux

So far it only works in Firefox/Epiphany, it may work in others but I've only tried:
Opera: init seg faults
IE6: kernel fails to load

Still a lot of work to do obviously, but thought I'd show off what I've got so far.

[Redman]

Great idea, keep up the good work

You might want to make it also available as download (GPL eh?).
That way, others could help you develop it?

[bigtomrodney]

That's pretty slick, I like what you've done so far. Keep up the good work

[thesimplecreator]

thats awesome with enough work it could be like an online demo ??

[netstrider]

That's really cool man. Just needs some more work (I also support the GPL idea).

PS: I stumbled it so it will attract some visitors and I think I'll digg it too, maybe set up a blog and get comments & support on it?

[darkrose0510]

Glad everyone's liking it so far...

The link above now takes you to a front page where you can start webLinux and download the code; released under GPL of course. The source tarball also includes some basic documentation describing how things work:
the boot process
how commands are executed
and some of the functions used within programs (for output to the console for example)
my email is also in the documentation

Here's a little preview of work on getting an X server working too:
jsX
click OK when it asks you if you want to enter silent mode.
you can see debug messages appearing as events are captured... but once the mouse leaves the window all mouse events are no longer captured at present.

thesimplecreator: yes, that's the idea

[jayd512]

That is just awesome!!! Makes me wish I knew something about coding so I could help with it. Once it's truly functional though, I know quite a few people who will absolutely love it! Including me

[darkrose0510]

The next release is up!

0.6.2 boots to a usable command line in Opera and IE. Added a couple more commands too: mkdir, cd, touch. Pretty much rewrote the kernel to a modular design to improve browser support.

Still some bugs floating about, and it won't boot in Konqueror (and possibly Safari)... but getting there slowly. Marginally closer to getting a desktop working too.

Take a look, comments and ideas very much appreciated.
Web Linux

[carlosponti]

in booting runlevel 5 it gives an error about not being able to find root partition on /dev//hda1 so i assume that the double forward slashes is the problem but it makes that runlevel unbootable.

[darkrose0510]

Thanks, hadn't tried runlevel 5 as it's basicly the same as 3 at present. Anyway, fixed now so it boots from either: one little extra character where it shouldn't be...