Why I started using Haiku
I have dual boot setup on my computer with Arch Linux and Haiku. Arch Linux is my primary operating system, but when I want to relax or have a little more fun I boot into Haiku.
I started using Haiku about six months ago, and for a pretty simple reason. It’s an entire operating system made by one group of people.
GNU/Linux is made of different pieces of software written by different people from different places at different times. It’s a collection of multiple options for kernels, window managers, desktop environments, libraries, sound systems, boot managers, and on and on.
GNU/Linux works, and works very well in my opinion, but I was looking for something different, something with more of a complete design in mind. I wanted something that had the consistency of Mac OS X with the freedom of a free and open source license. FreeBSD meets that criteria if I exclude a graphical user interface.
I looked into alternative operating systems and Haiku fit my criteria well. It’s a complete and unified operating system from boot to GUI, including an API for everything I need. It has very active development, and a nice, yet small, set of applications to use, including a native WebKit web browser.
Haiku is a remake of BeOS. I have never used BeOS before, but found out I really like using my computer the “BeOS way”. Compared to other operating systems and user interfaces, I prefer to use Haiku. I like the consistency between applications. I like the responsiveness of the user interface. I like the clean look and nice default settings. I like the simplicity of installing and uninstalling applications. I find that the user interface better fits my work flow.
I’m excited about Haiku having a stable release some day, whenever that is. I’m also excited about writing some applications for it, but I can’t really think of what to make. I’ll probably start by just converting my video game to native Haiku code.
aha. of the current \getting there\ oses, haiku looks nearest to \there\ and moving fastest.
\I’m also excited about writing some applications for it, but I can’t really think of what to make. I’ll probably start by just converting my video game to native Haiku code.\
i’d have to dig thru my bookmarks, but there are only a few big sites for haiku. one focuses on apps.
but I understand why you might not *yet* want to rewrite your game for an OS that’s not yet release.
Thank you for the comment.
In regards to software development for Haiku, besides making a native version of my video game for Haiku, I recently thought of a nice project to help me (and hopefully others) ease into Haiku application development. I will be making a collection of very small applications, each showing one feature of the Haiku API. That way, anyone can take them and either study them or use them as a base to start writing a new application. I applied for a project page on osdrawer.net, but haven’t heard from them yet.