Idea for new Linux OS

[tcb]

I have an idea for a complete refresh on user interface, but have no hope of learning kernel. I have decided that Linux will be the best platform to build my OS because it is open source and therefore can be improved on by anyone who knows kernel.

Because I do not know kernel I am asking here for somebody else to do it for me.

If you are interested I can send you a few drawings of my interface, talk you through it, and send you a basic mock up I've done in scratch (scratch.mit.edu)
(a very easy programming language)

I have subscribed under "instant", that gives me an email whenever there's a new post, right?

whatever happens, you will get mentioned if you help

thx in advance,
tcb

[coopstah13]

the OS isn't defined by the GUI running on top of it

technically speaking, the OS is only the kernel, but i digress

Creating a new window manager or desktop environment is no small task, there isn't one out there that meets your needs already?

[oz]

I have subscribed under "instant", that gives me an email whenever there's a new post, right?

Welcome to the forums!

Yes, you will receive an email each time you get a response if you've subscribed to this thread.

Note that I've sent you a PM regarding the edit of your post above.

Good luck with your project.

[tcb]

the OS isn't defined by the GUI running on top of it

technically speaking, the OS is only the kernel, but i digress

Creating a new window manager or desktop environment is no small task, there isn't one out there that meets your needs already?

Having learnt actionscript and JavaScript and MSDOS I relize that no task in programing is an easy task. I am pretty sure that my UI is new and un-thought of as it is oriented around tablet devices, which have only had a boom recently because of the iPad.

Ubuntu is classed as a different OS to Debian, why can't my UI be classed different aswell?

Done on an itouch, don't expect the best spellings

thx for the feedback
tcb

[coopstah13]

having a different UI doesn't really designate a different distro, as you can install any UI on any distro, but feel free to create a new UI, it is unlikely you would be the only person to find it useful

[tcb]

having a different UI doesn't really designate a different distro, as you can install any UI on any distro, but feel free to create a new UI, it is unlikely you would be the only person to find it useful

I have posted on this forum because I want to create a new UI. I am sure that others will find it usefull because of its simplicity. Let's leave the matter of if it is a new OS or not.

Do you want to help?

thx,
tcb

[elija]

It is very important to know where your project sits in the scheme of things as different areas require different skills. It sounds like you have an idea for a new desktop environment. Thus you would be seeking to replace Gnome or KDE etc.

It sounds like an interesting project and I would like to help, unfortunately, I am a complete beginner in the programming languages that would be needed which are most likely C or C++. I do have over 20 years experience as a developer though so PM me if you would like any more generic help.

I will also repeat the caution that this will be a very big project indeed and will need a team of developers and once you have that your biggest problems are likely to be ones of communication, process and motivation. There are times that keeping a team of geeks moving in the right direction can feel like herding cats!

[edit]
Especially as this is a new GUI, I would also try to get a couple of people from your target audience involved as early as possible. It is far easier to change the fundamental things earlier in the project.
[edit]

[tcb]

Thankyou, elija. (elija fits perfectly to the current time as it is passover.)

I have got a design drawn and written down and a clear image of how it will work in my head. I understand that the hardest part will be communication from my head to the paper, and then from the paper to devs.

I have no intention of herding us geeks, the more ideas we can have, surely the better the GUI?

Of course, we will need to be herded eventually in order to finish the project.

If you want i will PM you my design and you can see anything obviously wrong with it; and of course, if you do that you will be mentioned in the credits.

[tcb]

Especially as this is a new GUI, I would also try to get a couple of people from your target audience involved as early as possible. It is far easier to change the fundamental things earlier in the project.

Target audience is from non-power users up to semi-power users. age range is probably from about 10 to 110.

i can't include them yet as all i'd have to show them would be an A4 sheet and the conversation would go something like this:

Me: Hello, would you like to be a part of developing a new OS
TO: What's an OS?
Me: Like Windows or Mac
TO: Oh, right. Ok then.
Me: So imagine this piece of paper is a Tablet PC
TO: Tablet PC?
Me: Like the iPad
TO: Ok then.
(by this time TO is getting bored)
(I will then explain to them the GUI and how it works to them)
Me:You got all that
TO: *wakes up from sleeping* oh yeah, yeah
Me: Ok, would you mind telling me how it could be improved and filling in a 3-page survey?
TO: *runs off and tells everybody about a crazy man who bored him/her to death*

[elija]

Yeah that's definitely not the way to do it

I assume you have a tablet PC?

Don't show people what you have done but instead sit a few people down in front of it and get them to carry out a few basic tasks

Word processing
Copying files
Sending and reading an email
Surfing the Internet

Ask them a few simple questions

What was good about using the tablet
What was bad about it
What one thing would you change to make it better

You may need to offer a small bribe such as tea or coffee and biscuits

Once you have the answers, you can look at your ideas to see if they need tweaking. Trust me, it is easier to go through this process now rather than further down the line.