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31 Comments
- wzzrd, on 10/12/2007, -7/+41This is not about Linux, it is about desktop environments. Thus, the story is NOT about Linux moving towards unified API's (because that would be silly, there being only 1 Linux kernel). The story is about Gnome and KDE going to share some API's. That's a whole lot different. Not irrelevant, but different. I'm afraid this is inaccurate.
- playerx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+25API's are not system calls, they are programming interfaces. A system call is a call to the kernel, and yes this is innacurate because it applies to every system the DE's can run on. Nevertheless the idea is interesting.
- bettermentflux, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15The headline may be *technically* inaccurate, but the point is made and the story is worth a Digg. Better integration between KDE and Gnome apps gets a big thumbs up.
- TheWilson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14"We aren't talking about getting Gnome and KDE unified APIs on Windows or Mac, so how is it inaccurate? APIs are system calls. These aren't system calls to just any OS. They're specific to Linux."
Because other there are other Operating Systems, which are distinct from Linux that use Gnome/KDE (*BSD anyone?). Maybe it is a bit pedantic to you, but the OP is still perfectly correct. - cmiz, on 10/12/2007, -5/+15Although It's true that KDE and GNOME are not specific to GNU/Linux, saying "KDE and GNOME looking to share API's" probably wouldn't get as many clicks because more people are familiar with "Linux" and "KDE" or "GNOME"... Though not 100% as accurate as it could be, it probably makes a better title.
Let's forget about the technicalities, I think this is a good thing because people that prefer KDE or GNOME won't have to worry about applications not working on their particular WM. It would be good to have them as somewhat closer cousins that merely offer different looks but the same base. IMHO, the more standardized open source operating systems get, the more chance they'll stand in the market. Then again, I'm kinda partial to XFCE, there's my $.02 - bettermentflux, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11FYI: The the headline was quoted directly from ITWeek, not the submitter.
- TheWriteGuy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Technically, the original article title is not accurate. This is about establishing unified APIs that will make it easier for developers to create applications that can run under both GNOME and KDE. This is a GOOD thing. Digg.
- Klowner, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Not to mention GTK (Gnome's UI library) and Qt (KDE's UI library) both work in Windows environments as well.
- scutter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6This is a really great idea, IMHO. The balkanized nature of Linux (desktop) programming hampers a lot of good work. This sort of thing is what is needed to take the Linux desktop to the next level.
- Magistrate, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6What really needs to happen is for software installation to be made standardized across all distributions. I'm not saying all distros need to use the same package handler, they should just install software into a common place where users know to find it.
- muramasa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Red Hat will probably get behnind this if it seems to be going anywhere.
As it stands, no actual work on the API's have been done. Also, to make use of them it will require tons of software to be rewritten or given a major overhaul. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6because from day dot RH has always wanted things it's way or the highway.
- macewan, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6glad to see we're all lining up behind the Porland Project with all this wonderful feedback
- sbrown123, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Thank all parent posters for pointing out that Linux is NOT KDE and Gnome. Too many people are confusing Linux, which is just a kernel, with a desktop system. The "Windows" mentality that an operating system HAS to come with a gui desktop keeps getting in the way of people figuring out what Linux really is and can do. I spent like half an hour trying to explain to a person that a Linux box I had only had telnet access (actually SSH but I tried not to confuse the person too much).
- Runesabre, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Desktop API standardization would be a great improvement, even if it were strictly for basic things like setting up a desktop shortcut or menu item after an application is installed.
Another huge area that needs standardized for Linux is application distribution. I'm currently building a cross-platform entertainment product that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. Windows and Mac are fairly straightforward in terms of distribution and customer support; what I distribute to my customers operates with acceptable predictability with what I developed "in the lab". Even better in regards to Windows is my application works perfectly on every Windows platform all the way back to Win98 without a single code change or binary difference.
Linux, on the other hand, is seriously lacking when it comes to application distribution. There are way too many binary incompatible flavors of Linux to deal with. Handing customers source code to build themselves is not a solution but a bandaid Finally, the customer support nightmare of trying to accomodate even the dozen or so popular flavors of Linux is simply not feasible for any product beyond a hardcore technical niche product.
If Linux really wants to be taken seriously as a maninstream replacement for Windows, it's going to have to work on it's distribution model. - i440, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Does that mean, for instance, that I could use either a GTK+ or QT interface for each program?
Because that would be quite nice, I would have to say. - spikespeigel42, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Actually, they already do this. While there is some variation, there is a set of filesystem standards that define where everything is kept, for example, logs are kept in var, everyones softwar is kept in /usr/bin, the users personal fire is kept in /home/Username. While it can get complicated, it makes sense, and its fast as all hell. Plus, its worked for a very long time, i mean, they've been around sense the 70's.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2About time
- Nodren, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3well this is definately a step in the right direction. I love linux, and use it regularly, but the biggest downside to it is the fact everything gets divided among the different API's. dont get me wrong, i'm glad theirs competition, it has made both GTK and QT grow. but this needs to happen. KDE and Gnome are great in their own rights, but why should any developer have to code any differently for an application to look nicer on gnome over KDE? I like Gnome, and i wish my Qt apps looked as nice on KDE, and if i ever decided to use KDE, i wish my gnome apps fit the KDE eye candy... hopefully this API will solve that.
- Magadass, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Yeah this is why I cant stand developing on Linux it drives me insane!
- Argentice, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Having 2 competing desktop environments (Gnome and KDE) is a big disadvantage for Linux users. Instead of people putting their efforts into improving existing OS software there are forks to convert applications from KDE to Gnome to vice-versa.
Having Gnome and KDE is holding back the progress of Linux desktop.
Personally I'd like to see them merge. Or one to die (either one is fine by me, they are both good), but this might be a way forward for now. Even though it's a bit of a kludge. - shrewduser, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4windows refers to the entire system not just the kernel...
consumers are used to it, and it should be the same with linux... - yhan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I completely disagree with you here, having multiple available desktop environments is a strenght of linux, not a disadvantage. It is called natural selection, this doesn't mean that one of them will loose, it just means different desktop environments for different needs and usages. Desktop environments that don't meet the specific purpose of a relevant number of users will eventually be dropped.
About the Portland API's: they don't have the intention of unifying desktop environments nor they're API's, it's just an abstraction layer API for doing common tasks related to integration of applications with the desktop environments. An application for example wants to place an icon in the menu and in the desktop. Since GNOME and KDE API's defer on that, you would just tell the Portland API's that you want to place the icons and you have the job done so no specific desktop environment programming, at least on that aspect. etc... - andersonmanly, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yes, Windows is referred to as one complete system, but Linux should NOT be referred to in the same manner. Linux is about choice, and will remain that way. What Consumers should try to do is realize that there is a world out there beyond what Microsoft has shoved down their throats.
- GMorgan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0How was Unix. Generally a very expensive system supposed to kick windows ass. For the first time in god knows how long the technical user population is growing as a percentage of users. This can't bode well for Microsoft and they know it. The more kids born with a keyboard the less idiots who talk about internets and think Word is an OS.
- GMorgan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Linux does it right. The OS theoretically refers to the kernel and a few of the most basic system tools (a la GNU tool chain). I'm afraid its Windows thats been getting it wrong. Before everybody goes 'but everybody uses Windows' , if everyone called Bush Captain Jack Sparrow would they be right.
Windows is an extended system not just an OS. A linux distro is also an extended system. - lbrtuk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1No. Doing that would just create a third API that nobody liked.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Yay for unification, which will finally bring Linux to the mainstream and kick WIndows's ass.
Oh wait, that's what we heard all through the early and mid-'90s about Unix.
Anyone still holding his breath over that one? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3Why would you ever want to use GTK?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -15/+4So after 15 years, the Linux/OSS movement finally wised up that they need to unify. It's too late!
- Gregd, on 10/12/2007, -25/+4We aren't talking about getting Gnome and KDE unified APIs on Windows or Mac, so how is it inaccurate? APIs are system calls. These aren't system calls to just any OS. They're specific to Linux.
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