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New OS aims to provide (some) compatibility with macOS

github.com

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Re: New OS aims to provide (some) compatibility with macOS

#3

Post by skynetv2 »

> A BSD-based OS project that aims to provide source and binary compatibility with macOS® and a similar user experience.

I am curious - what is the motivation for this project?

Is it to replicate macOS? - If yes, why?

Is it to provide application compatibility on a non-macOS? If yes, why a full OS? Why not take the route like Wine or other such layers that make compatibility possible? Also, is there such a need for running macOS apps on a non-macOS? Who is the target audience?

Would the energy be better spent in making Linux more stable or usable for the general public?

If its just a hobby, sure, that is well & good.

Re: New OS aims to provide (some) compatibility with macOS

#5

Post by daniel_iversen »

This is so cool, the little mini screenshots look gorgeous because it replicates MacOS. I’m not sure if a lot of people feel the same but over the years I always thought it was a shame that Linux’ overall UX and aesthetics seemed a little bit more rushed and “crowd sourced” (in the sense that it felt diverse in terms of ui opinions and taste etc). It almost makes me want to try Linux again just for that look and feel (because I love my Mac’s but would like something different and more free)

Re: New OS aims to provide (some) compatibility with macOS

#6

Post by linguae »

I've been paying attention to this project periodically over the past few years. It would be nice to have a FOSS clone of macOS, similar to how FreeDOS, ReactOS, and Haiku are FOSS clones of MS-DOS, Windows, and BeOS, respectively.

The only thing is that this project has been quite slow going, which is similar to the histories of FreeDOS, ReactOS, and Haiku, where it took a long time for those projects to get to a usable state. It is a lot of work cloning an operating system, especially with an aim for binary compatibility. The Linux kernel benefited from the fact that there was an entire GNU ecosystem of tools that can run on Unix, and even in that case, the GNU ecosystem was seven years in the making in 1991 when the first version of the Linux kernel was released. It would've taken much longer for Linux to have been developed had GNU tools not existed.

Writing an entire operating system is long, hard work, even when provided the resources of companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Hopefully projects like ravynOS and the similar HelloSystem (https://hellosystem.github.io/docs/) will lead to FOSS clones of macOS eventually, even if we need to wait another 5-10 years.

Re: New OS aims to provide (some) compatibility with macOS

#7

Post by prmoustache »

opengrass wrote: post #4

Can it run stock macOS programs like Photos? I want a non-chaotic way to import my old fart's iPhone galleries without a Mac Mini (HEIC and Lives are annoying), and docker-osx/vm's don't work for everyone.

They say source-compatible, not binary-compatible.

GNUstep failed to get traction, I doubt they can do much better.

Re: New OS aims to provide (some) compatibility with macOS

#8

Post by MangoToupe »

skynetv2 wrote: post #3

> A BSD-based OS project that aims to provide source and binary compatibility with macOS® and a similar user experience. I am curious - what is the motivation for this project? Is it to replicate macOS? - If yes, why? Is it to provide application compatibility on a non-macOS? If yes, why a full OS? Why not take the route like Wine or other such layers that make compatibility possible? Also, is there such a need for r…

I would much rather emulate linux apps on a more stable and consistent OS than vice versa. The sheer number of toolkits and window managers leaves my head spinning, and unifying their behavior even before you can begin to improve it feels like a nightmare.

I personally don't care much about the dock or the look and feel or whatever; I just want access to the usability of macos without having to accept how closed it is.

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