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Date: Thu, 26 Nov 1998 14:11:04 -0500 (EST)
From: Louis Bertrand <louis@signalpath.on.ca>
Reply-To: Louis Bertrand <louis@signalpath.on.ca>
To: OpenBSD Advocacy List <advocacy@openbsd.org>
cc: netbsd-advocacy@NetBSD.ORG, 
    FreeBSD advocacy list <FreeBSD-advocacy@FreeBSD.ORG>
Subject: Re: Merging Net/Free/Open-BSD together against Linux
In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.3.96.981126110134.26466A-100000@lorax.ubergeeks.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.4.03.9811261320510.11270-100000@tronix.signalpath.on.ca>
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Hello all,

<soapbox mode -- take two Prozac and call me in the morning>

What I'm reading about here is some sort of super-standard to cover the
freenix BSDs (and maybe even BSD/OS). 

Bad idea even if, as JKH says, we were able to find a master architect.

In my experience in the hardware domain, standards favour widespread
adoption but stifle innovation. For example the i386 ISA is a dog to 
design for, but people did it anyway because they could sell huge
amounts of hardware. You can make the parallel in the software world
with the 640K limit.

What in fact we don't want in the BSD world is a monolithic standard that
will stifle development. Instead, let's ask ourselves what do we want from
BSD (in general).  Innovation and cutting edge technology that you won't
find anywhere else, or easily unpacked predictable applications?

I personally favour innovation. Let's stick to strong guidelines and
recommendations, share the ideas and solutions, and promote all flavours.
But don't cast anything in stone( that's for fossils).

Ciao!
 --Louis


Louis Bertrand, Bowmanville, ON, Canada
<louis@signalpath.on.ca>
vox +1.905.623.8925  fax +1.905.623.3852
OpenBSD: Security matters  <www.OpenBSD.org>

On Thu, 26 Nov 1998, ADRIAN Filipi-Martin wrote:

> unified distribution with three possible kernel architectures, yet a
> unified userland?  (He quickly ducks for cover.)  As long as device files,
> filesystem and directory hierarchies were agreed to, it seems feasible.
>