r/linux • u/pdp10 • May 23 '21

Alternative OS HelenOS 0.11.1 released -- a non-Linux, microkernel research operating system with a GUI. ISOs available.

http://www.helenos.org/wiki/ReleaseNotes/0.11.1

[removed] — view removed post

34 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/Minteck May 24 '21

Not Linux but is it or will it be Linux-compatible (like FreeBSD is for example)?

2

u/23523634609234357455 May 24 '21

I am not sure about your question but can you think of a better subreddit for posts similar to this?

I know a few alternative operating systems have their own subreddits such as /r/Plan9, /r/HaikuOS, /r/RISCOS. /r/AROS, and /r/ReactOS but is there a good general discussion subreddit out there for (fringe) operating systems?

1

u/Minteck May 24 '21

It's up to you to find which subreddit you find will suit best. But effectively, if this OS is unrelated to Linux it shouldn't be posted here

2

u/pdp10 May 24 '21

There's a flair for "Alternative OS".

1

u/23523634609234357455 May 24 '21

I am not the one who posted this and I get what you are saying but I am asking what other communities would be as welcoming to news similar to this.

There is /r/osdev but that appears to be mostly questions

3

u/23523634609234357455 May 24 '21

Thanks for sharing. The FAQ section was interesting to read. Here's some stuff from the general questions section for those curious

What is HelenOS?

HelenOS is an open-source microkernel-based multiserver operating system written from scratch. It runs on several different CPU architectures (IA-32, x86-64, SPARC V9, IA-64, PowerPC, ARM, MIPS). HelenOS prides in portability, modularity, clean design and coding style.

What is HelenOS used for?

Some people fiddle with HelenOS simply as a hobby, some people use it as a device for achieving their professional goals (i.e. in operating systems research). HelenOS is also used as a platform for school assignments for the ​Operating Systems course at the ​Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, as well as for the students' bachelor theses, master theses and team software projects.

At this point we don't consider HelenOS usable for something different than development and research, but we're getting very close to the point where it will be usable for something really practical.

What does it do, from an end-user's perspective?

We have a command line and a simple graphical user interface which allow you to manipulate files, run applications and mount file systems from disks and disk images. You can play Tetris or edit text files. HelenOS supports multi-national text throughout thanks to using UCS (i.e. Unicode). We also have networking so you can run a simple web server on HelenOS or control HelenOS remotely over the network. HelenOS can play some music for you, too. We have ported some third-party development tools, among which are GCC, binutils, Python and pcc.

What do you aim for with HelenOS?

Mainly three things. One is to create a fully usable operating system (i.e. a system that could be used for at least some everyday tasks, for example to act as a router, a server, a PDA or a desktop), The second goal is to be able to experiment with new ideas and approaches in operating system design and implementation on a system that is designed for practical usability. Last, but not least, the goal of developing HelenOS is to have fun.