On Fri, 3 Apr 1998, Lane J. Bryson wrote:
> Hello all.
>
> I read the article at http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19980402S0013
> where Dreessen apparently remarks that he envisions Netscape (Mozilla)
> and Linux fused for life. He suggests that Mozilla could become the
> "GUI that runs on top of Linux," as the article says.
>
> Is it just me, or does this sound like Windows 98 and MS Explorer? Is
> Netscape trying to gain a controlling arm in the Freeware world?
>
> If mozilla is trying to move into the direction of being just another
> windows manager, then I have no problem. But I don't want a "browser
> UI"
> as a permanent installation in my Linux box.
>
> I bring this up to this list because the Freeware Summit is being held
> shortly, and this sounds like a big general issue to discuss--
> Independence
> of each individual Free software product from other products, so that
> each component may evolve on its own.
[--snip--]
While I agree with your premise (I like to choose my UI, too--which is why
I'll stay away from Win98), I hope you're not suggesting independence at
the cost of interoperability. I'm all for anarchy in theory, but having
some unifying concept or design can dramatically increase productivity.
(One of Windoze's few strengths is the ease with which one can move chunks
of data between different programs--usually with drag-and-drop
simplicity.) I'm relatively new to Linux and have never done any real
development of my own, but hasn't there been a push for a Common Desktop
Environment for a while anyway?
But I think that even if there is some kind of Mozilla-Linux hybrid OS, it
would not necessarily be a Bad Thing. Source code would (presumably)
remain free and so independent development could continue as
always--instead of just a common kernel, there would also be a common UI.
Of course, I'm sure there would still be "Mozilla-free" flavors of Linux
(and probably a G-free UI within the Mozilla version) that would be
available and widely used, but a Unifying Concept would certainly go a
long way in catching up with and pummelling the Evil Empire of the
Northwest--not that that is the ultimate goal, but it sure would be fun!
To me, the important thing is Freedom of Information/Software--the rest is
gravy.
(Note: as I said, I'm no developer, and some of my presumptions
regarding How It All Works may be naive at best, so feel free to blast me
out of the water!)
Mike
==========================
Mike Edwards, MIS
Edwards Graphic Arts, Inc.
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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