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Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
111–120 of 151 posts
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#112It mentions preemptive multitasking as one of its features. Are there any operating systems that still use cooperative multitasking?
I think it's worth mentioning on a hobby OS, just because it's a decent bit more work to do preemptive multitasking. It's a badge of honor to have successfully implemented it.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
Then we need to change what is meant by "mainstream browser".
I would love to see that happen, but its not going to. It is the people with basic needs who need to stick to the mainstream stuff because they can get support and it does what they expect. People need bank and other complex websites to work. They want to watch online video. Kids will need educational apps. Also do not make assumptions about elderly people. Not long ago I met a woman (guess in her 70s?) who used to w…
Web browsers have three purposes: document viewer, remote paperwork machine, and cross-platform application framework. I could throw together a browser fully capable of the first two in a month. (Much less time, if you're okay shipping a prototype, which personally I'm not.) Bank websites are not complex, unless you count the business logic: there's no reason they shouldn't work in Dillo.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#114This is very very cool, and unlike a lot of other "hobby" OSes actually looks usable as a daily driver if your needs are basic (kids, elderly, older/cheaper hardware, etc). While for nerds computers have become these monstrously powerful things that can do everything under the sun, there's definitely still plenty of people who just want a computer to write down notes, keep a calendar, use the calculator... eg the thi…
What youre describing is called iOS on a large iPad. Everyone from 4 year olds to my 77 year old computer illiterate Dad can figure it out. This doesn't look very usable at all by someone who isn't basically a computer nerd.
> What youre describing is called iOS on a large iPad.
Is iOS able to work with files ? Asking for a friend. /s
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#115Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would love to see that happen, but its not going to. It is the people with basic needs who need to stick to the mainstream stuff because they can get support and it does what they expect. People need bank and other complex websites to work. They want to watch online video. Kids will need educational apps. Also do not make assumptions about elderly people. Not long ago I met a woman (guess in her 70s?) who used to w…
Web browsers have three purposes: document viewer, remote paperwork machine, and cross-platform application framework. I could throw together a browser fully capable of the first two in a month. (Much less time, if you're okay shipping a prototype, which personally I'm not.) Bank websites are not complex, unless you count the business logic: there's no reason they shouldn't work in Dillo.
Yes, almost any competent developer could define a simple document format that would make it easy to write viewers for all the niche OSes, but he cannot persuade content creators to adopt the simple format because most creators (writers) don't see anything wrong with publishing on the web and don't see anything wrong with relying on intermediaries like Wordpress, Medium and Substack to help them publish on the web. Those intermediaries do not want to switch to a simple document format because the user's being dependent on a mainstream browser helps them to track users and to monetize.
So 99% of the time, a user ends up needing the full complexity of a mainstream browser just to read a static document.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#116I'm surprised there aren't more hand-crafted OSs popping up on HN. Agentic AI can give you the basics of an OS in 15 minutes. It gets confused when debugging assembly code, but it can give you a good framework and walk you though the remainder of the steps.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
So what is better? I think you're wrong and a tablet with iOS or android is the best form factor for computer illiterate people to get something done. Despite whatever bullshit they added, everything else is worse. But maybe you know of something better?
All you need to understand this is to watch a chimp browsing Chimstagram on an iPhone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTiZqCQsfa8 Forget computer illiterate, not even human let alone literate!
"When something is made idiot proof, they will just make better idiots." S. Hawking.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#118Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Nowadays even iOS will randomly change its UI You and I have very different ideas of “random” I think.
> “You and I have very different ideas of “random” I think.” Indeed, not ‘random’. With respect to iOS26 what word should one use? Premeditated? Deliberate? Maliciously?
> Indeed, not ‘random’. With respect to iOS26 what word should one use? Premeditated? Deliberate? Maliciously?
Ejaculated ? Something coming out of a reproductive organ, with no idea of real world consequences.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#119I'm surprised there aren't more hand-crafted OSs popping up on HN. Agentic AI can give you the basics of an OS in 15 minutes. It gets confused when debugging assembly code, but it can give you a good framework and walk you though the remainder of the steps.
I am intrigued. Go ahead and show us ONE 15 minute agentic ai os that runs on metal.
Re: Visopsys: OS maintained by a single developer since 1997
#120It mentions preemptive multitasking as one of its features. Are there any operating systems that still use cooperative multitasking?
> Are there any operating systems that still use cooperative multitasking?
Android ? /s Still not able to run 2 programs in the same time after all these years.