Re: what's next for the linux kernel?

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I think it's time for some innovative thinking and for people to step outside the Linux box and look around at other operating systems for some good ideas. I'll run through a few ideas here.

Reiser 4 - The idea of building a file system on top of a database is the right way to go. Reiser is onto something here and this is a technology that needs to be built upon. It's current condition is a little on the week side - no ACLs for example - but the underlying concept is ound.

Novell Netware type permissions. ACLs are a step in the right direction but Linux isn't any where near where Novell was back in 1990. Linux lets you - for example - to delete files that you have no read or write access rights to. Netware on the other hand prevents you from deleting files that you can't write to and if you have no right it is as if the file isn't there. You can't even see it in the directory. Netware also has inherited permissions like Windows and Samba has and this is doing it right. File systems and individual directories should be able to be flagged as casesensitive/insensitive. Permissions need to be fine grained and easy to use. Netware is a good example to emulate.

The bootup sequence of Linux is pathetic. What an ungodly mess. The FSTAB file needs to go and a smarter system needs to be developed. I know this isn't entirely a kernel issue but it is somewhat related.

I think development needs to be done to make the kernel cleaner and smarter rather than just bigger and faster. It's time to look at what users need and try to make Linux somewhat more windows like in being able to smartly recover from problems. Perhaps better error messages that your traditional kernel panic or hex dump screen of death.

The big challenge for Linux is to be able to put it in the hands of people who don't want to dedicate their entire life to understanding all the little quirks that we have become used to. The slogan should be "this just works" and is intuitive.

Anyhow - before I piss off too many people who are religiously attached to Linux worshiping - I'll quit not. ;)

Marc Perkel
Linux Visionary

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