Difference between revisions of "Funtoo Linux Vision"
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= Project Vision = | = Project Vision = | ||
| − | + | Daniel Robbins originally wrote the [[Gentoo Linux Philosophy]], and in it he defined the concept of an ideal tool as being something that "just works", does not get in the user's way, and responds to the will of the user rather than forcing the user to work a particular way. | |
| − | + | Funtoo Linux is a project of people who agree with the philosophy of the ideal tool, and who are ''passionate'' in our desire to improving technology to be as close to this ideal as possible. The focus of our efforts is the Gentoo Linux distribution. It is our belief that Gentoo Linux is a very good Linux distribution but has deviated from the original vision as outlined by Daniel. | |
| − | + | The development focus of Funtoo Linux is currently directed at the core system, meaning anything on a stage3, portage, core languages, kernels, server applications, and up through X11 and simple window managers. Desktop environments are purposely excluded from our area of focus as there is plenty to fix in the "lower" parts of the system. The goal is to get the above-mentioned parts to a level of quality and maturity that is significantly higher than that in Gentoo Linux right now. | |
| − | + | == Focus, Focus, Focus == | |
| − | + | This project vision still leaves a lot of ambiguity about where to focus. Use these guidelines to determine what to focus on first: | |
| − | + | === Does It Build? Does it Build Reliably? === | |
| − | + | The first test - does the software build from source properly? This isn't just about emerging ebuilds on your system -- do stage builds work with no issues using Metro? If not, this needs to be fixed first. Funtoo Linux continually builds updated operating system releases, and these must build reliably at all times. The focus here is for 100% correct and efficient builds using Metro, and then emerging initial applications on a Funtoo Linux system. | |
| − | + | === Does It Run? Does it Run Well? === | |
| − | + | OK, it builds. Does it run properly? Does it work? This is pretty vague, so let's put some specifics here. When installing Funtoo Linux from a stage3, does everything work? What complications or failures were encountered on initial install? These should be fixed, or work-arounds should be put in place, and long-term fixes should be worked on to improve the user experience. Remember that the focus of Funtoo Linux is on the core system - this is the stuff you touch when you first install Funtoo Linux. You should regularly re-install Funtoo Linux to check for any issues and prioritize user install issues and the initial user experience. | |
| − | + | === Can I Use It? Easily? For Real Work? === | |
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| − | + | OK, it builds, and it runs. But can I actually perform tasks with the tool? How easy or hard is it to perform these tasks? The technology must be designed to support the user in performing these tasks, rather than forcing the user to jump through hoops to get something set up correctly. Things should be automated as much as possible without taking control away from the user. Reasonable, secure defaults that are suitable for production workloads must be used for all applications. Things should emerge without blockers or missing features that must be enabled manually by the user. And a pet peeve - if emerge stops to tell the user that they must define a USE variable to continue, this is something that should be fixed one way or another. Then, when everything is said and done, it should work. If manual steps are required, they should be documented clearly and correctly. Is documentation available? This is a key part of this step. | |
| − | + | === Is It Well-Designed? Optimized? Maintainable? === | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | It builds and runs, and I can use it to perform real work. But is the system well-designed? Does it work reliably? Are all available patches and fixes in place to ensure a reliable computing experience? Is Funtoo Linux providing the best technology possible to users? And is this technology easy to maintain? Remember, all things being equal, less code is better than more code because it is easier to maintain. Are there verbose comments in code where necessary? | |
| − | + | === Are We Getting Better? === | |
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| − | + | OK, we're doing all of the above steps. Here is the next test - are we getting better? Is the quality, security, usability and maintainability of the distribution improving over time, or is it going up, and then going down, and we're not really making any forward progress? The ultimate goal at the end of the day is to make forward progress in the quality of the distribution. This requires better automation, better tools, better processes, and investment in research and development and new ways of doing things. It also requires the right attitude. If we are doing a lot of work and the overall quality of the distribution is not improving, then our efforts are not making a long-term difference, even though they may be addressing immediate bugs and issues. We must ensure that our efforts are worthwhile, and they are making a positive long-term difference in the quality of the distribution. | |
| − | == | + | == Examples == |
| − | + | Coming soon... | |
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Revision as of 21:20, 30 January 2011
The Funtoo Linux Vision is developed and evolved primarily by Daniel Robbins.
Contents |
Project Vision
Daniel Robbins originally wrote the Gentoo Linux Philosophy, and in it he defined the concept of an ideal tool as being something that "just works", does not get in the user's way, and responds to the will of the user rather than forcing the user to work a particular way.
Funtoo Linux is a project of people who agree with the philosophy of the ideal tool, and who are passionate in our desire to improving technology to be as close to this ideal as possible. The focus of our efforts is the Gentoo Linux distribution. It is our belief that Gentoo Linux is a very good Linux distribution but has deviated from the original vision as outlined by Daniel.
The development focus of Funtoo Linux is currently directed at the core system, meaning anything on a stage3, portage, core languages, kernels, server applications, and up through X11 and simple window managers. Desktop environments are purposely excluded from our area of focus as there is plenty to fix in the "lower" parts of the system. The goal is to get the above-mentioned parts to a level of quality and maturity that is significantly higher than that in Gentoo Linux right now.
Focus, Focus, Focus
This project vision still leaves a lot of ambiguity about where to focus. Use these guidelines to determine what to focus on first:
Does It Build? Does it Build Reliably?
The first test - does the software build from source properly? This isn't just about emerging ebuilds on your system -- do stage builds work with no issues using Metro? If not, this needs to be fixed first. Funtoo Linux continually builds updated operating system releases, and these must build reliably at all times. The focus here is for 100% correct and efficient builds using Metro, and then emerging initial applications on a Funtoo Linux system.
Does It Run? Does it Run Well?
OK, it builds. Does it run properly? Does it work? This is pretty vague, so let's put some specifics here. When installing Funtoo Linux from a stage3, does everything work? What complications or failures were encountered on initial install? These should be fixed, or work-arounds should be put in place, and long-term fixes should be worked on to improve the user experience. Remember that the focus of Funtoo Linux is on the core system - this is the stuff you touch when you first install Funtoo Linux. You should regularly re-install Funtoo Linux to check for any issues and prioritize user install issues and the initial user experience.
Can I Use It? Easily? For Real Work?
OK, it builds, and it runs. But can I actually perform tasks with the tool? How easy or hard is it to perform these tasks? The technology must be designed to support the user in performing these tasks, rather than forcing the user to jump through hoops to get something set up correctly. Things should be automated as much as possible without taking control away from the user. Reasonable, secure defaults that are suitable for production workloads must be used for all applications. Things should emerge without blockers or missing features that must be enabled manually by the user. And a pet peeve - if emerge stops to tell the user that they must define a USE variable to continue, this is something that should be fixed one way or another. Then, when everything is said and done, it should work. If manual steps are required, they should be documented clearly and correctly. Is documentation available? This is a key part of this step.
Is It Well-Designed? Optimized? Maintainable?
It builds and runs, and I can use it to perform real work. But is the system well-designed? Does it work reliably? Are all available patches and fixes in place to ensure a reliable computing experience? Is Funtoo Linux providing the best technology possible to users? And is this technology easy to maintain? Remember, all things being equal, less code is better than more code because it is easier to maintain. Are there verbose comments in code where necessary?
Are We Getting Better?
OK, we're doing all of the above steps. Here is the next test - are we getting better? Is the quality, security, usability and maintainability of the distribution improving over time, or is it going up, and then going down, and we're not really making any forward progress? The ultimate goal at the end of the day is to make forward progress in the quality of the distribution. This requires better automation, better tools, better processes, and investment in research and development and new ways of doing things. It also requires the right attitude. If we are doing a lot of work and the overall quality of the distribution is not improving, then our efforts are not making a long-term difference, even though they may be addressing immediate bugs and issues. We must ensure that our efforts are worthwhile, and they are making a positive long-term difference in the quality of the distribution.
Examples
Coming soon...
